Nurse gets ready to draw blood—what this 5-year-old says through tears leaves viewers in awe
Reece is five years old. He sits on the hospital bed with tears clinging to his lashes, his small frame stiff with fear. A nurse gently prepares the materials for yet another blood draw—one of many he's endured over the course of his cancer treatment.
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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