Twelve-year old Mileena Painter has been cheering for Pell City almost since she learned to walk. She started cheering with the Pell City Youth Cheer Association when she was just four years old. She is now a cheerleader with Pell City Junior High Cheerleaders.

At the Junion High football game on Tuesday night, she received cheers of her own and a surprise from Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

Mileena was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2017 when she was 11 years old and has been battling ever since. For her 13^th birthday in November, Make-A-Wish has granted Mileena’s wish of going to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida with her family and best friend.

“Tonight is a night that I will never forget,” said Mileena’s mom Rachelle Painter. “The love and support of so many that have loved and supported Mileena over the past year was flowing through Pete Rich Stadium. Mileena and Matilee will have a 13th birthday that they will always remember!”

Pell City High School Varsity Cheerleaders brought orange and gold balloons to release in honor of National Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month and National Childhood Cancer Month in September.

Mileena’s fellow cheer squad as well as the rival team gathered around her on the field, celebrating Mileena’s courage and dedication.

At times, Mileena has to rest during cheer and sometimes arrives at the field in a wheelchair, but she still stands strong and cheers on her Pell City Panthers. 

“Thank you so much,” said Mileena. “This has given me so much hope. This brightens my chance…I’m going to survive but this gives me so much hope.” 

According to the American Cancer Society, Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens, accounting for almost 1 out of 3 cancers. Overall, however, childhood leukemia is a rare disease. About 3 out of 4 leukemias among children and teens are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). There is an estimated 10,590 new cases of childhood and adolescent cancer in 2018.

Mileena is scheduled to finish treatments in December 2019.

“Thank you to all who helped to make tonight happen, most importantly Make-A-Wish with Rachel and Cheryl, our PCHS Varsity and JV cheerleaders, Coach Ivy Patterson, and our DJHS Cheerleaders. God is so good and Mileena will continue to fight harder and finish stronger!” said Rachelle Painter.