An inspirational story out of Williams County as an elementary school celebrates three students who are now cancer free.
13 ABC's Christine Long was at the balloon release in the Village of Pioneer located about 50 miles west of Toledo.
This was not only a celebration for the three young, courageous cancer survivors, but for the entire community which has banded together through its share of triumphs and tragedies over the last few years.
The Village of Pioneer is home to North Central Elementary School, a school which held a very special assembly on Friday afternoon.
Hundreds of students gave a big tribute to three classmates who beat cancer.
"I felt nervous and overwhelmed at the same time," says Alexis Flynn, a 6th grader who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four. She is now five years cancer free.
Kindergartner Travis Turner was diagnosed with liver cancer when he was nine months old.
"All I wanted to do was trade places with him. You just want them to be OK," says Karrie Turner, Travis Turner's mom.
Travis has been cancer free for four years.
"He had a liver transplant in 2008, February of 2008. That's what we consider our new beginning," says Karrie Turner.
And Kindergartner Caden Baker has been cancer free since Wednesday.
"No more meds, no more chemo, no more throwing up, no more bone pain. A normal six year old," says Lyn Baker, Caden's mom.
Through the years the school has rallied around these kids forming the group "Hope Takes Flight" which has raised more than $6,000 for cancer research.
And Friday the students bundled up and headed outside holding hundreds of balloons to launch in celebration.
"To just be at the heart of hope, to help these families, and to show people you can survive it, you can beat it," says Ashley Stewart, Travis and Caden's Kindergarten teacher.
After the balloon launch, young Travis had a message for his family and classmates: "I want to say about mom and dad and thank you and thank you for being here."
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