Three young cancer sufferers appeared viral portrait undergoing treatment reunite heartwarming shoot celebrate cancer-free

Source:people.cn Published: 2016-4-7 15:41:40

Online stars: Ainsley Peters (left), six, Rheann Franklin (center), eight, and Rylie Hughey (right), five, who went viral when they were photographed embracing while battling different forms of cancer, have reunited


 
Back in April 2014, three little girls all suffering from rare forms of cancer came together to be photographed in a poignant image that won the hearts of thousands.

Today, all three have beaten their illnesses and are growing up happy and healthy and recently reunited once again - with Oklahoma photographers Lora Scantling and Christy Goodger - to celebrate.

Rheann Franklin, eight, Ainsley Peters, six and Rylie Hughey, five, all became stars when the photograph of them all embracing, eyes closed and softly smiling in pastel gowns, went viral two years ago.

The original: This image of the three girls embracing each other for comfort became an online hit in 2014


 
All three girls became close friends while they fought their respective diseases and in the months following, they all managed to go into remission.

After hearing the news, the three met up once again with the photographers for another shoot, this time with the three of them with their eyes open and smiling broadly.

At the time of that image, Rheann had just completed her last round of chemotherapy the week before the shoot, Ainsley was in maintenance chemo and Rylie had already been in remission for over a year.

Stunning smiles: The girls were reunited just a few months after when they all had gone into remission, with Rheann (center) having just completed her last round of chemotherapy the week before

 

Now, two years on from the original photo, all three girls are either cancer free or in remission, and to celebrate, the photographers decided to snap them once again.

'We decided to do it holding the original picture this year so everyone could see how much they have changed! All three girls are doing great and are still cancer free/in remission,' photographer Lora told TODAY.com.

She added: 'The bond they have is incredible and it's really neat that they understand that their picture has been seen all over the world and that they have made a huge difference for childhood cancer awareness!'

Ready for life: The girls have grown up a bit since the first photo in 2014, and are now all happily recovered from cancer

 

The photo shows the girls, having grown up quite a bit, but still sporting vintage-style gowns, holding up a framed version of their original photo. All three girls smile at the camera.

Today, Ainsley is all done with chemo and is currently in remission, receiving monthly blood work to make sure she stays that way.

Rheann lost her hair because of all the chemotherapy she underwent and her eyes droop a bit because of her now-eradicated brain tumor. However, she is now living life to the full.

'The good news is she is a happy 8-year-old with an active life. She loves to ride her bike, hang out with her school friends, and she loves to play with her sisters,' Lora said of Rheann.

Rylie is also in remission and out of the hospital, only going in for scans every three months, and is even now back to playing sports and dancing.

The full team: Photographer Lora Scantling (left) poses with the three tiny cancer survivors


 
The years have also been kind to photographer Lora, who has been offered plenty of work after the first photo of the trio went viral, even partnering with cancer foundation Ally's House to photograph other children battling health issues.

Strong ladies: Ainsley  is no longer receiving chemo and just receiving monthly blood work

Strong ladies: Rheann permanently lost her hair during the battle, but is now living a healthy, active lifestyle


 
 

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