Devon Still Announces Daughter Leah's Cancer Is in Remission

The #LeahStrong movement got the news it's been waiting months for on Wednesday as Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still announced his daughter Leah's cancer has gone into remission.

Still made the announcement via a statement on Instagram:

The caption reads as follows:

"

June 2, 2014 and March 25, 2015 are days I will remember for the rest of my life. As everyone probably knows, June 2nd was the day doctors walked into the waiting room to tell me my daughter had cancer. It was the most devastating day of my life. March 25th , however, is feeling like the best day of my life. Today we received news from Leah's oncologist that her cancer, stage four neuroblastoma, is officially in REMISSION! After 296 days of day dreaming about what it would feel like to hear the doctors say my daughter is in remission, I finally know the feeling. Funny thing is there is really no way of describing it because I never knew this feeling existed. When I look at my daughter all I can do is smile and hug her. It was not easy but every day, and every treatment Leah fought like hell and kicked cancers butt! I'm so proud and blessed to call her my daughter. She has made an impact on me and on the world, at the age of four, that I can only wish to make in a lifetime. Thank you to my family and friends for the support through all those tough days. Thank you to everyone who has sent a letter to give Leah and our family motivation to keep fighting, a toy that helped Leah get through her days in the hospital, and more importantly a prayer that helped God hear our cries for healing. Thank you to the doctors at CHOP for putting together the best plan of action for my daughter. Thank you to Child Life members Sarah, Laura, and Lindsey for really turning what could be a scary place into a place where Leah would enjoy going because she knew she would have fun with you guys. Thank you to the Bengals for taking on my situation and standing by me and my family and for helping to raise money to fight pediatric cancer. To every media outlet and persons that helped raise much needed awareness, thank you. Leah is not done with treatments yet. She still needs more to make sure the cancer cells do not return and to build back up her immune system and other damage from the chemo but I know my little warrior will get through it! #FistBump #LeahStrong #BeatCancer #TheFightAgainstChildhoodCancerIsFarFromOver #ThrowingTheBiggestKidPartyEver #WaitForIt

"

Leah Still was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma last June, setting the stage for a difficult yearlong battle that also became one of the NFL's most affecting stories in 2014. With Still unable to concentrate on football following the diagnosis, the Bengals released him in September, only to immediately re-sign him to their practice squad so Leah could receive medical insurance.

"My first thought was to stop playing football and spend time with my daughter because she is my No. 1 priority, but playing football puts a smile on her face," Still said, per Joe Danneman of Fox19. "That's one thing that made me come back and decide to play football."

Still later returned to the active roster, and the family story continued throughout the regular season. In November, the Bengals hosted a #LeahStrong ceremony in which they donated 1.3 million to Cincinnati's Children's Hospital and Medical Center. 

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