Jake Bailey never expected his high school graduation speech to hit international headlines, but he didn't expect to make that speech after having been diagnosed with cancer either.
Sometimes though, bad stuff happens to really good people.
He's in remission now, but only six months on from his diagnosis, the battle is still fresh in his mind.
You couldn't have blamed Bailey if he'd decided not to get out of bed back in November, he nearly couldn't. But he says not giving that speech was never an option.
"I felt that I had an obligation to the boys that I'd led that year to finish the year as strong as I'd started it. It was something that was really important to me and it was really important as far as my leading of the school. That was a huge honour to me, and I wanted to do it to the best of my ability."
The speech was written before he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- but its meaning escalated somewhat after falling sick.
The video of the speech has been viewed 1.6 million times, and shared by media all around the globe. Bailey couldn't be more grateful for the support he has received.
"It was incredible, the level of support that I received from all corners of the world. It was a huge source of strength for us, in a really difficult time and I am always so grateful for that. I'm so aware that there were all these people out there supporting me and it was surreal."
Bailey spent 50 days in isolation, undergoing the heinous but lifesaving treatment that is chemotherapy.
He never doubted he'd beat the deadly disease, but the process left him feeling exhausted.
"For me, the most important thing throughout that time was my family and the people around me in my life -- my girlfriend and my friends. It was so important to me that they were there alongside me. And they spent a lot of time coming to visit me in hospital. That was something that got me through on a day to day basis."
He's level-headed about his battle, and from the moment of his diagnosis until now has been facing each day as it comes.
"When I was announced in remission, everybody around me so was so thrilled and my mum was crying and everybody was so happy. And I was like, well, I always expected this to happen."
He's just returned from Sydney after delivering another rousing speech at a fundraiser for cancer research.
That speech has also gone viral. Other than being a flattering reminder of his incredible way with words, it's clear that aspect doesn't faze Bailey too much.
And he hopes his battle can serve as inspiration to others fighting cancer to push through -- if not for yourself, but the others around you.
"The bonds that you will forge with the people that are in your life -- be it with your family or your friends or your partner -- will be so much stronger than any other bonds that you have formed because they are forged under battle."
Newshub.
