Hospital staff staged a flash mob for a 12-year-old patient and it will make you cry tears of joy
Ready for a dose of feels? Of course you are.
Sophia Petikas, 12, recently finished treatment at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center in Louisiana. And on her last day, the medical staff weren’t about to let their friend leave without a grand send-off: a seriously rad flash mob.
Daniel, one of the members of the radiation team, had promised Sophia that he would learn her favorite dance, “The Nae Nae,” before she left. And he certainly did learn it. . . as did the rest of the hospital staff.
“They had practiced on their own time,” Sophia’s mom, Julia, told Inside Edition. “Daniel led them in a practice and he learned the moves on YouTube.”
The staff also made sure that they were all wearing Chuck Taylors, and no, not just so that they all matched. It was as a tribute to Sophia, courtesy of a super sweet observation Daniel made. “The first day he noticed that [Sophia] was wearing Chuck Taylor shoes,” Julia told Inside Edition, “so he made her a sign that had an image of the tennis shoes.”
Sophia was at the center after a large tumor was discovered on her spinal cord. Though it was removed via surgery, it returned, and doctors determined that proton therapy was the best way to rid her of the cancer. She went to Willis-Knighton so she could remain close to home. “Her physician, Dr. Ben Wilkinson, indicated that using proton therapy would lead to decreased radiation for children, such as Sophia, who have a long life ahead of them,” her parents wrote on YouTube, explaining that Sophia is the first pediatric patient at the center.
“They are hoping that this will kill all the tumors that were in there,” Julia told Inside Edition.
One thing’s for sure: Though Sophia has had a long battle with her cancer and has faced more than any 12-year-old should have to, she’s made some truly amazing friends at the hospital. The video starts with Daniel explaining to Sophia that he has a special surprise, and he leads her to the lobby, where the staff is waiting. And that’s where they totally break it down. Of course, Sophia couldn’t help but get involved in the dancing, too, and ended up leading the dance party! Luckily, it was all caught on video, so we can watch it and sob big giant tears.
“Our family would like to express how thankful we are for all of the wonderful people at WK who took part in surprising our daughter with this fun, unforgettable surprise,” her parents wrote on Youtube. “. . . These people are truly an example of the finest in their field, and of humanity in general!”
Our hearts are bursting with happiness just watching. These staff members are so busy changing lives on a day-to-day basis, yet they still found the time to make a girl’s day brighter in such a beautiful, personal way. Watch for yourself and be prepared with a big ol’ box of tissues, because this one’s definitely a doozy.
(Images via YouTube.)
