Teen Gets Huge Surprise For His Sweet 16

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--He's battled cancer and now comes a new challenge, turning 16.

Weijia Jiang explains how his family made it a birthday he'll remember forever.

In many ways Cody Moerschel is an ordinary 16-year-old boy.

"I like playing sports, having fun with my friends," he said.

But the battle he's been fighting for two and a half years is extraordinary: acute leukemia.

In May 2008, Moerschel was visiting Disney World, where he fell gravely ill. In the very place dreams come true, his nightmare began.

"It was hard. They don't give you a Parenting 101 book to say this could happen to your child," said his mother.

His leukemia prevented him from moving around. Moerschel even had to be home-schooled.

Now he's in remission, recovering like a champ.

So when it came time to plan his sweet 16 party, "my whole goal was for it to be an unbelievable night for him," his mother said.

WJZ was there for the big surprise Monday night. A driver picked Cody Moerschel up in a limo. They even swung by to get his girlfriend.

"I have no clue where we're going," he said. "I don't know."

They went to a family dinner out and then to a movie.

Moerschel was all smiles the whole time, which despite what he's been through, is also pretty typical. In fact, he has a message for other cancer patients.

"I would say stay strong. Don't stop believing in yourself. Always try to have fun. Don't worry, it'll be OK," he said.

Cody Moerschel  is scheduled to receive his last treatment on Oct. 12. He says he'll definitely be celebrating then, too.