High schoolers diagnosed with cancer months apart defeat the disease together

SMYRNA, Ga. (WANF/Gray News) – A pair of high school classmates from Georgia who were diagnosed with cancer just months apart rang the victory bell together, knowing their friendship has been deepened by their shared battle.

Camilo Henao and J.P. Thomas are both sophomores at Whitefield Academy. After being diagnosed with cancer just months apart, they helped each other through treatment, culminating in the friends ringing the victory bell together last Friday at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

J.P. first noticed symptoms in May when his knee started hurting. What doctors initially thought might be a meniscus tear from playing tennis turned out to be something much worse.

“There were spots all over my body,” J.P. said. “I had them on my skull, shoulders, arms, hip and legs.”

Doctors diagnosed J.P. with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare type of pediatric cancer. Treatment began immediately at Children’s Healthcare, with Camilo at his side.

“I was like, ‘Dang, that has to suck,’” said Camilo of watching his friend go through chemotherapy treatments.

J.P. took the treatment in stride, leaning on his faith.

“It’s not a big deal in the long run,” he said. “But, for my time on earth, it’s kind of a big deal.”

His mother, Tish Thomas, says her son never complained about his diagnosis.

“He never said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ or ‘This sucks.’ He never complained,” she said.

Roles reverse as friend gets diagnosed

Just as J.P.’s treatment concluded, Camilo received his own cancer diagnosis.

“It was more painful finding out he was diagnosed with cancer, rather than me,” J.P. said.

“First week was the worst week I’ve ever had in my life,” said Camilo of his chemotherapy treatments.

The roles reversed, with J.P. now supporting his friend through treatment.

When J.P. became cancer-free, he faced a decision about ringing the traditional victory bell. He chose to wait until both he and Camilo could ring the bell together as cancer-free survivors.

“Why would I have the joy of ringing the bell when my friend is still going through the same thing?” he said.

Maria Espinosa, Camilo’s mother, says J.P.’s decision showed maturity beyond his years.

“That’s a lot for a 15-year-old to do. That says a lot about his heart,” Espinosa said.

The friends say their shared experience has strengthened their bond; though, they still give each other a hard time.

“We joke about losing hair a lot,” J.P. said.

The families of both teenagers sang the praises of Children’s Healthcare, which helped ground them.

“It’s not a hospital,” said Juan Henao, Camilo’s father. “It’s an embassy of heaven on earth.”

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