STEVE HARTMAN:
00:00:10
His footwork is impressive, but it pales compared to the trick he pulled off. Cheating death. Back in 2022, Dylan Mwaniki, of Kansas City, Missouri, was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer. He was 14. They gave him just eight months to live. But he is alive today, thanks to a doctor named Mary Austin, who did a lot more than treat his cancer. She became his friend.
MARY AUSTIN:
00:00:40
We made arrangements to grab a lunch together, and he's met my kids, and it just evolved naturally as a friendship. She's like my partner in crime. I call her my second mom. He calls her my second mom.
STEVE HARTMAN:
00:00:53
That's his first mom, Lucy, and his dad, Paul. She used to check on him, just like a mom would. Every step of the way.
STEVE HARTMAN:
00:01:02
Through 52 weeks of chemo, she was there for him. Especially during his darkest days, when there was serious doubt Dylan would live long enough to even graduate high school. She just hyped him up. Like, I promise you, if you keep going through with this, you can live. I will come to your graduation. Just that trick of saying, hey, I'll make it for your graduation. It's changed everything. He just decided, he has the will to keep fighting. Her making promises like that and giving me hope definitely uplifted my mood.
STEVE HARTMAN:
00:01:38
Today, Dylan is cancer-free and a graduating senior. Dylan [? Tozzi. ?] Mwaniki.
STEVE HARTMAN:
00:01:45
Unfortunately, Dr. Austin now works at Seattle Children's Hospital 1,500 miles away. Getting to graduation would be difficult, but. She has not made one promise that she hasn't kept. And we'll forever be grateful for that.
STEVE HARTMAN:
00:02:02
His parents kept Dr. Austin's visit a surprise. Until now. And although little was said in this moment, the firmness of their hug-- I'm so proud.
STEVE HARTMAN:
00:02:14
--and the length of their embrace showed how much it meant to Dylan. It was, after all, literally, what he lived for. In fact, Dylan's parents believe this human connection played a big part in saving their son, proving that you don't always have to be a doctor to heal. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.
STEVE HARTMAN:
00:02:40
Steve Hartman, On the Road, in Kansas City, Missouri.
