Nurse gets ready to draw blood—what this 5-year-old says through tears leaves viewers in awe
And then, through shaky sobs, Reece begins to speak:
'You're okay. You're brave. You can do this.'
The words come out haltingly at first, like he's reminding himself how to breathe. His voice trembles, but it doesn't break. With a determined little fist pump, he adds, 'Heck yeah! Just do it. Yeah boy! That's what I'm talkin' about.'
It's a moment that has struck millions online. Captured in a now-viral TikTok posted by his mom, Morgan Handley, Reece's pep talk delivers a powerful emotional gut punch wrapped in internet sweetness. For any parent who has watched their child face something painful, it's deeply familiar. This is bravery in real time: scared, tearful, but moving forward anyway.
Reece's courage shines brighter when you understand the journey behind it. At just three years old, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer. (According to the National Cancer Institute, it accounts for about 25% of all childhood cancers in the United States and occurs most often in children aged 1 to 4 years.)
Since then, blood draws like this one have become a biweekly ritual—a necessary, but often painful, part of his treatment.
Related: How to raise our sons with a full emotional life—from vulnerability to strength
The road hasn't been easy. According to Upworthy, his family has navigated the ups and downs of immunotherapy and the side effects that come with it, from rashes to the challenges steroids can bring. Despite this, Reece's resilience remains unshaken. His treatment is expected to conclude in July 2025, when he will ring the bell, a cherished milestone signaling the end of his cancer journey.
But while the 'ringing the bell' moment is often celebrated as a victory, the path there is paved with days like this one. Blood draws, needle pokes, and medical tests aren't rare interruptions; they're routine for Reece and many families facing childhood cancer.
Related: This mama's honest post about childhood cancer is going viral and it's heartbreaking
What makes Reece's pep talk so powerful is how deeply it reflects the emotional tools he's internalized over time. His mantra captures the delicate balance between fear and determination that so many kids experience in hard moments.This quiet self-coaching is no accident. Morgan Handley, Reece's mom, shared with Upworthy that their family has long practiced pep talks and emotional encouragement, turning those words into a kind of armor. Over time, Reece has absorbed these scripts and rituals, learning to face pain with resilience.
Experts in child development note that young children often internalize the emotional tone set by their caregivers. When parents model calm encouragement and use consistent emotional scripts—especially during repeated stress—it can help children feel more secure and build resilience over time.
Reece's courage is, in many ways, a reflection of the love and steady guidance that surrounds him.
Related: How to teach kids about cancer—from a Certified Child Life Specialist
Watching your child face pain and fear is one of the hardest things a parent can endure. There is often no way to take the discomfort away—only to sit beside it, soften the edges, and help your child walk through it.
Behind moments like Reece's are countless hours of emotional scaffolding. Parents like Morgan Handley are managing medications and appointments—and also nurturing resilience, one bedtime pep talk, one calming breath, one whispered 'you can do this' at a time.
Related: A letter to new cancer moms
They build emotional toolkits: mantras that ground, breathing exercises that regulate, stories that reframe fear. They validate their child's pain while gently offering strategies to move through it., even when their own hearts are breaking.
Reece's pep talk may sound simple, but it carries the weight of this emotional labor. It's the echo of every time he's been told he's strong, brave, and not alone.Resilience like his grows through practice and love—not something we're simply born with.
The outpouring of love and support for Reece has been overwhelming. Commenters from all walks of life are cheering him on:
Luv2laugh:
'I didn't see cancer right away! My son had stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma and was in heart failure, he was 16 and had a 10% chance and he is a healthy 22 today!! This guy is gonna be great!! What a great attitude!! Sending love and prayers!!'
Dia D:
'How can I love him so much and never met him?
Token8885:
'Please tell him he is the most bravest lil guy ever!! '
Biochemgeeek: 'A positive attitude goes such a long way in cancer treatment! So proud of this little dude!!!'
Dani:
'What a beautiful little boy! Wishing him lots of blessings and hoping everything turns out great. He's a fighter, he's going to grow up to be an amazing man. '
Related: 6 simple ways to teach kids emotional intelligence (that you're probably already doing)
Reece's story shows us how resilience can be quietly built day by day, with love, encouragement, and emotional support.
For parents navigating difficult medical journeys with their children, it's a reminder that the scripts we teach, the mantras we share, and the patience we offer all become tools kids carry with them.
Related: 4 ways to support challenging behavior in kids, from a Speech Language Pathologist
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2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'There's a core ethical dilemma': How ringside doctors in boxing and MMA approach a difficult job in brutal sports
Margaret Goodman was a young neurologist just beginning to try out the role of ringside physician in her home state of Nevada when she got some advice from Donald 'Doc' Romeo, a man who by then estimated he'd worked somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 fights, from Muhammad Ali's destruction of Floyd Patterson to the 'eight minutes of fury' between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns. 'First thing he told me was, 'don't go in the ring,'' Goodman said. 'I was like, what? I'm the ringside physician. If a fighter's hurt, that's what I'm here for. I've got to go in the ring. [Romeo] shook his head and said, 'no matter what happens, don't go in the ring.'' It took Goodman a while to understand what he was telling her. She didn't get it at first. But after she went from working amateur Golden Gloves events to major pro fights in Las Vegas, the epicenter of boxing in America, it started to become clear. Once a doctor steps in the ring, she's essentially on stage, in the spotlight, subject to all kinds of scrutiny. This is also why Goodman's partner, a fellow ringside physician named Edwin 'Flip' Homansky (the man called in to examine the bite marks on Evander Holyfield's ear that night against Mike Tyson in 1997), asked her if she was sure she'd be able to handle the pressure of this kind of work. 'I thought, pressure? I'm a neurologist. I deal with all kinds of really serious issues. But he was right,' Goodman said. 'Especially somewhere like Las Vegas, where everything is on TV, it is a lot of pressure. It's not just the crowds, either. It's a lot of other people expressing opinions on your work. Commentators, fighters, promoters, other ring doctors. Pressure from the [state athletic] commission. Pressure from the cornermen. You tell yourself none of that is important — and it isn't, because you're still going to do your job and do the right thing — but you realize there's a lot riding on your decisions.' For starters, there's the obvious. What if you recommended that the fight be allowed to continue, only for one fighter to suffer serious or even life-threatening injuries? What if you put a fighter in the ring who was medically unfit to be there in the first place? What if you failed to recognize the seriousness of a cut, and it ended up costing a fighter his eye? But what Goodman found, as she got deeper into the work and got to know more fighters and trainers on a personal level, was that she also had people's careers in her hands at times. And since she was one of the very few female doctors in this space, not to mention one with bright red hair, which made her instantly recognizable on TV broadcasts, people tended to remember every call she made — and they weren't hesitant about bringing them up to her later. 'If a fighter loses or gets stopped in a fight, it can really change what happens to them and where their careers go from there,' Goodman said. 'That's especially true in boxing, though also in MMA to some extent. There are implications, so you have to be aware of that. Bottom line, if someone's in danger, you get them out of there. But you do have to be aware of what that's going to mean for them.' Most fight fans never think about the doctors at ring or cageside unless something bad happens. Maybe the attending physician suggests a fight be stopped due to a cut that really isn't so bad. (Doctors have the power to stop fights on their own in some states, but in others can only recommend that the referee do so, which is a suggestion referees almost always follow.) Even worse, maybe the doctor fails to intervene on time, leaving a fighter to suffer serious injury or death long after the fight should have been stopped. It can be a tricky tightrope to walk for people who have dedicated so much of their lives to healing and helping people. In fight sports, they find themselves a party to something that has as its stated goal the inflicting of damage on one human being at the hands of another. 'This is the core ethical dilemma of every ringside doctor,' said Kirlos Haroun, an emergency room physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, who also works as a ringside physician for the Maryland State Athletic Commission. 'Some doctors think about it a lot, and others don't. I've been challenged by some of my mentors who say, are you not consenting to long-term brain damage by being ringside? And I don't have a perfect answer to this. I think, without it being an excuse, this is something that society has accepted. We are allowing people to do this to make money. At a minimum, ringside doctors can be a pathway towards making it as healthy as possible.' As a longtime MMA fan, Haroun admitted that it's far less fun to watch fights as a ringside physician than as a regular observer. 'As a fan, I'm rooting for a knockout,' Haroun said. 'When I'm a ringside doctor, I'm praying for a decision because I do not want to walk in there.' But on those occasions when he is called upon to make a decision about which fights can continue, Haroun said, it requires a doctor to tap into a different kind of thinking. Because, quite frankly, none of this is good for the human body or brain. That's a given. But what a doctor is being asked to decide is whether it's suddenly become unreasonably dangerous as opposed to acceptably risky. That can be a strange head space for a physician to occupy. 'It's mitigation,' Haroun said. 'It's not removing risk, because you can't. The core idea here is to cause traumatic brain injury and knock the other person out. Personally, I think I'm usually able to disconnect it. But every once in a while I'm sitting next to a friend watching fights and they ask me, 'are you OK with this?' I do have these moments of ethical dilemma, and it's hard. It's hard.' Manjit Gosal is not only the medical director for the British Columbia Athletic Commission, he's also a family practice doctor and lifelong martial arts practitioner. This, he said, gives him a certain perspective on the work, since he knows what it feels like to push through pain in competition or insist he's fine when he knows he's not. He also knows what it feels like to suffer a concussion from a well-placed strike. 'I think it was one of my patients who first told me there were MMA events going down on one of the reserves here, back before it was legal,' Gosal said. 'So I thought, well I have to go help out and keep an eye on these guys. … I remember I got a call from the B.C. Athletic Commission — this is, again, way back before MMA was legal here — and they wanted to slap me on the wrist for it. I said, well, I'm a physician. I can help out any person who's in need, anywhere necessary. Then about a year and a half later, as MMA was getting legalized here, they called me back and said, 'we've heard you do these kinds of events. Would you like to work for us?'' Gosal said he's been present for every UFC event in Vancouver since the promotion first starting bringing shows to British Columbia in 2010. He's also worked multiple regional events over the years, watching the sport grow and change in the process. In that time he's had to stop fights over the protests of fighters and their corners. 'Initially, maybe they think they're fine to continue, they can push through this,' Gosal said. 'But I've never had a fighter afterwards say to me, 'how dare you stop that fight.' They've always acted respectfully and said, 'thanks for looking out for me, doc.' I tell them what I'm there to do is protect them, so they can still walk down the stairs and bring a fork to their mouth in their later years. And they understand that.' Many people think cuts come with the toughest judgment calls for a doctor, Gosal said, but it's generally not the case. Most facial lacerations produce more blood than genuine cause for concern. And those that are worth stopping a fight over tend to announce themselves with a certain obvious clarity. 'You're asking yourself, is it in a high-risk area? Is it blocking the vision?' Gosal said. 'If it is, that's pretty simple. It doesn't matter how big the fight is, if I can see bone and it's in an area where the next blow could damage the nerve, over the eye for example and affect this person's vision for the rest of his life, then the fight's got to stop.' The really tricky ones, in Gosal's experience, are the eye pokes that continue to plague MMA, with its open-fingered gloves. Those often come with controversy, as fans argue over what's inadvertent and what might be purposeful, as well as which fighters might be making it out to be more severe than it is in hopes of a point deduction or even a disqualification victory. A lot is left to interpretation in these instances. Sometimes a fighter's vision can clear quickly after an eye poke. Other times it might be impaired for hours or even days. The ringside doctor has a limited time in which to conduct an examination in the cage and make a decision. 'If it's accidental or whether it's deliberate, that doesn't really matter,' Gosal said. 'But there's two aspects to it. Can the athlete see or not? You can assess that, but it's a very short exam that you do when you're in there assessing somebody. You want to be very direct, very quick and get an answer. … But it's going to happen from time to time where those can be used for a way of getting out of a fight, which is fine too. If a fighter wants out, you want to stop it. But I'm sure the fighters sometimes make some calculations on that. Is it the first round? Is it the last round? Am I ahead? That's part of the game as well.' One thing Goodman learned from all her years working boxing and MMA events is that deception is always part of the fight game, and in many different ways. Fighters are constantly trying to trick each other, but also referees and doctors and maybe even their own coaches. That includes not just what happens in the ring or cage, but what's happened in the weeks or months before. 'One of the hardest parts is that you don't know where everyone's coming from,' Goodman said. 'You don't know what's happened in training, if they got hurt in the gym. To really do this job well, I think you need to do as much preparatory work as you can to know who you're dealing with, what might have happened to them in other fights in other jurisdictions.' This, Goodman said, is one reason why it's important for athletic commissions to share information with one another. Without a shared database of fights and fighters, it's left to individual doctors to know who might be coming off a knockout loss too soon, or who's had eye trouble in the past that could become an issue again in future fights, for example. 'But no matter what you think you know,' Goodman said, 'one thing about this sport is you can always have something happen that's never happened before. Then you have to make a decision.'
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10 minutes ago
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The One Supplement You Should Never, Ever Take If You Have High Blood Pressure
The One Supplement You Should Never, Ever Take If You Have High Blood Pressure originally appeared on Parade. If you have high blood pressure, you're likely already aware of the foods you should minimize. Bacon, cheesy entrees, soda and pastries should all only be consumed in moderation. You probably know what you should prioritize too, namely lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins, chicken and you've looked into herbal supplements as a way to further lower your blood pressure. After all, herbs are high in antioxidants, which means they support cardiovascular health, right? While it's true that most herbs are beneficial for heart health—and a great way to add flavor to food in place of salt—there is one herbal supplement that cardiologists warn against taking if you have high blood pressure. It sounds beneficial, but the reality is that it can do more harm than good, and even be dangerous. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 The Supplement To Avoid If You Have High Blood Pressure We talked to three cardiologists and they all say that people with high blood pressure should avoid taking licorice supplements. 'Licorice root can raise blood pressure by causing sodium retention and potassium loss. This leads to an imbalance that places strain on the cardiovascular system and may lead to serious complications in people with hypertension, says Dr. David G. Rizik, MD,an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at High Level Science. Dr. Khashayar Hematpour, MD, a cardiologist with Memorial Hermann and UTHealth Houston, says this too. He says that some people with high blood pressure want to take a licorice root supplement as a way to lower inflammation or to combat symptoms like ulcers and acid reflux. (He adds that licorice supplements are also sometimes taken to soothe a sore throat.) But taking one can be detrimental to heart health if you already have high blood pressure. Related: 'The substance that is in licorice root is glycyrrhizin, and that has a direct effect on increasing your blood pressure, causing fluid retention and lowering your potassium,' Dr. Hematpour says. This means that if you have high blood pressure, you should avoid consuming licorice in any form, such as teas or candies. 'The Food and Drug Administration warns that consuming two ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks will cause potentially serious cardiovascular problems due to increased blood pressure,' Dr. Hematpour says. If you have high blood pressure and you do consume licorice, Dr. Rohit Vuppuluri, DO, an interventional and vascular cardiologist at Chicago Heart & Vascular Specialists, says that this can cause blood pressure to be raised even more, which can lead to symptoms like a headache, blurry vision and swelling due to fluid retention. Dr. Rizik adds that it could even cause arrhythmias, which are an abnormal heart rhythm. 'It's not worth experimenting with if you're managing hypertension,' he says. Related: More Effective Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure Besides licorice root, Dr. Rizik says that people with high blood pressure should avoid bitter orange because it contains compounds that raise blood pressure. In fact, it's best to talk to your cardiologist or primary care doctor before starting any new supplements if you have high blood pressure. 'I would recommend to anyone considering adding a new supplement to their routine to consult with their physician first, especially if they have high blood pressure or any other medical condition. Everyone is different, and your doctor will be able to advise you on whether a supplement is safe to take, and in what quantity,' Dr. Hematpour says. Related: Instead of relying on supplements, all three cardiologists recommend focusing on having a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH diet, which was specifically created to keep blood pressure levels in check. Dr. Hematpour says the Mediterranean diet is another eating plan to follow that has been scientifically shown to reduce blood pressure and support cardiovascular health. These diets, he explains, emphasize foods rich in antioxidants, which help lower inflammation. Dr. Vuppuluri adds on to this advice, saying, 'A heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory lifestyle is key. This includes a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, whole grains and fatty fish, along with regular physical activity and seven to eight hours of quality sleep per night.' If you do want to take a supplement that supports your cardiovascular health, Dr. Rizik recommends an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. But you can also get this heart-healthy nutrient by consuming fatty fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds. Diet can play a powerful role in managing blood pressure, but when it comes to taking any supplements, it's best to talk to your doctor first. That way, if you do decide to take a supplement, you'll know it's truly supporting your cardiovascular health. Up Next:Sources Dr. David G. Rizik, MD,interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at High Level Science Dr. Khashayar Hematpour, MD, cardiologist with Memorial Hermann and UTHealth Houston Dr. Rohit Vuppuluri, DO, interventional and vascular cardiologist at Chicago Heart & Vascular Specialists The One Supplement You Should Never, Ever Take If You Have High Blood Pressure first appeared on Parade on Aug 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Electrolyte beverages can help your body stay balanced − but may worsen symptoms if you're sick
For generations, Gatorade and similar electrolyte beverages have been helpful tools for athletes seeking a competitive edge. In 1965, Dr. Robert Cade and a team of scientists at the University of Florida College of Medicine created Gatorade to help their football players combat heat exhaustion and muscle cramps during long practices in extreme temperatures. The drink's winning formula of water, sodium, potassium and sugar works effectively with the human body to keep users hydrated, refueling them with energy and optimizing muscle function. While I don't work for or receive funding from Gatorade, as a registered dietitian and nutrition instructor, I've watched how specific electrolyte beverages can be handpicked to boost hydration in hospitalized patients, student athletes and even myself. And while Gatorade was one of the first electrolyte beverages heavily marketed to consumers, its ingredient combination has paved the way for the creation of even more sport and electrolyte beverages on the grocery store shelves today. If you're looking to gain a specific nutritional edge from a sports drink, you can seek out a registered dietitian for an individualized plan. Otherwise, if you've ever wondered what makes these colorful beverages a nutrition attraction, here's a closer look at some key ingredients. The importance of hydration Whether people are athletes or not, the human body is constantly losing water through normal human functions such as sweating, urinating and even breathing. When water is lost, the body also excretes key electrolytes such as potassium and sodium. These electrolytes are crucial for everything from heart function to muscle contractions. Electrolytes get their 'electro' name from having an electrical charge when dissolved in water. This charge allows them to work throughout the body in chemical reactions that maintain normal brain functioning, balance fluids inside and outside of body cells and even balance how acidic or alkaline your blood is. Major stress on the body can accelerate the dehydration process – whether it's intentional, like running a 5K, or unintentional, like getting a nasty stomach bug. If left unchecked, dehydration can cause more serious complications, such as fainting and irregular heartbeats. To prevent these complications, you need to replenish the fluids and electrolytes you're losing. Stressful scenarios such as exercise and sickness are a perfect time to consider an electrolyte replacement drink. A closer look at Gatorade's ingredients Water, the main ingredient in most sports drinks, hydrates you. The human body is made up of approximately 60% water, so to stay hydrated, it is important to listen to your body and drink water regularly. When the body's water volume is decreased, it sends thirst signals to the brain. However, these signals often lag behind your hydration status. So, once you feel thirsty, your body is likely already slightly dehydrated. For a more accurate hydration assessment, check the color of your urine. Darker yellow or golden urine? Grab some water. Pale yellow or clear urine? Keep up the good hydration. Sodium, another ingredient in Gatorade, attracts water. When you are dehydrated, the body's blood is more concentrated because less water is circulating overall. When you have a lower blood volume, your blood vessels don't expand as much as they normally would – ultimately lowering blood pressure. If blood pressure drops too quickly due to dehydration, you might feel dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or weakness. The good news is that sodium actively pulls water into the bloodstream. So during an intense workout or while dealing with a dehydrating illness, consuming a salty snack or sports beverage can help. The potassium in Gatorade regulates muscle contractions. This electrolyte is especially critical for regulating your heartbeat, and it also aids in normal skeletal muscle contractions. If the body lacks enough potassium, painful muscle cramps or dizziness can disrupt your workout or day. Sugar provides quick energy and nutrient absorption power. A traditional Gatorade beverage contains glucose and dextrose, which are both known as simple sugars. A simple sugar is one that the body can quickly digest and absorb, with the goal of quickly increasing blood sugar. Strenuous aerobic exercise or strength training for longer than 60 minutes, performing activities in very hot or humid climates, or the physical strain of an unwelcome illness can all rev the body's metabolism and quickly deplete blood glucose. When glucose levels drop, you may experience fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, nausea or difficulty concentrating. The nutrient combination found in Gatorade was designed with athletes in mind, but it is also sometimes discussed as a remedy to consider during an unpleasant bout of gastrointestinal illness. Diarrhea and vomiting are easy routes for electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to escape. Energy drinks' combination of simple sugars, water and electrolytes may be one strategy to maintain hydration during a time when food and fluids are difficult to stomach. However, be cautious – many traditional sports drinks have a high sugar content aimed at refueling lost energy during a workout. When that same sugar content is introduced to an upset gastrointestinal tract, it can pull in extra water, leading to more diarrhea. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some other options to consider. Opt for a lower-sugar electrolyte beverage. Beverages to consider include Pedialyte or even a broth-based soup. Both will hydrate with minimal added sugar content. The human body is incredibly efficient at managing nutrients in the blood. In most cases, balanced meals and water consumption are enough to meet your daily nutrient needs. During intense physical exercise or an unexpected illness, however, the body may struggle to maintain its usual balance. If you notice unusual symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue or persistent thirst, your body will need attention. In specific cases of dehydration from exercise or illness, a sports drink like Gatorade can be a simple tool to help you bounce back to your best self. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Bryn Beeder, Miami University Read more: Do you really need to drink 8 glasses of water a day? An exercise scientist explains why your kidneys say 'no' Sports in extreme heat: Warning signs of heat illness and how high school athletes can safely prepare for the start of team practices Does chicken soup really help when you're sick? A nutrition specialist explains what's behind the beloved comfort food Bryn Beeder does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
