Central Florida girl battling brain cancer reaches major milestone

Rylee Bernosky rings bell after finishing radiation

OVIEDO, Fla. – A Central Florida girl battling brain cancer reached a new milestone in her recovery, but her journey is not over yet.

Rylee Bernosky, 5, rang a bell at the hospital Tuesday, showing her excitement to finish her radiation treatment. Her father told News 6 us it's bittersweet.

"She was shy," Wade Bernosky said. "A lot of people were watching her, but before all that, I was like, 'Are you gonna ring it light?' And she was like, 'I'm gonna ring the crap out of that bell.'"

Rylee has been battling brain cancer for months now. Her family asked people to send Rylee letters and the letters haven't stopped since. 

"It's just crazy the thoughtfulness of people from all over," Rylee's grandmother, Kim Bernosky, said. "They make cards, they hand-write letters, they send gifts."

Her grandmother told News 6 that Rylee has received thousands of letters since January.

"She just loves her mail," Kim Bernosky said. "She loves her mail box. She loves getting mail."

She put together a map for Rylee, pinning every location a letter has come from.

"Each night we grab a bag of pins and just pin them," she said. "The prayers alone are amazing. Just think: All these every-night prayers are just phenomenal."

Her father told News 6 that while this has been a hard journey for their family, Rylee hasn't changed one bit.

"It's been tough, but, you know, (we're) taking it day by day," Wade Bernosky said. "She's doing really good, really playful, energetic. She's a normal child, but if you look at her, her hair is falling out."

Rylee actually got to shave her grandfather's head. The Seminole County deputy told News 6 he'll keep it shaved until Rylee finishes chemo.

Her family members said they are just so taken aback by all the support from the community.

"There's not enough words in this world to thank you," Kim Bernosky said. "I mean, I just can't -- there's not enough words in the world to explain how thankful we are and to put the smile on her face."

Rylee will start chemo in a month. Her father said it will last at least four months.

Today is Rylee's last day of proton radiation! She gets to ring the bell to sound off her completion. Today is also...

Posted by Rylee Bernoskys Journey on Monday, March 13, 2017

Anyone who would like to send Rylee a card, can address it to:

  • Rylee R Bernosky
  • POBOX 530095
  • DeBary, FL 32753-0095

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help pay for Rylee's treatment.


About the Authors:

Recommended Videos