Trending

12-year-old cancer survivor hopes to inspire other kids

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

GARDNER, Mass. — Two years ago, 12-year-old Madison Dube received the worst news of her life.

"I was diagnosed when I was 10, and I immediately thought I was going to die," she said.

Doctors told Maddie she had Ewing's Sarcoma. It's a type of cancer that effects the bones and in Maddie's case, her leg.

"It was the scariest day of my life for sure.  It was scary to tell my daughter she had cancer," said Merissa Dube.

Maddie's mom, Merissa, says their world was turned upside-down. They didn't know what to expect.

Maddie underwent surgery and chemotherapy at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Maddie decided to build up her strength, joining CrossFit 696 in Gardner.

"It definitely kept my strength up and it kept me motivated and it taught me to be strong," she said.

"Maddie is a diva…It's the number one way to explain Miss Maddie," said her head coach, Matt Cali.

Cali also survived childhood cancer. He said that focusing on the future helps when dealing with mental and emotional toll.

Maddie hopes to be a role model for other kids who are forced to walk the same path.

"For kids that get diagnosed with cancer - think positive the whole time.  Be brave, and don't think about the bad things.  Think about the positive things," she said.

Maddie and her CrossFit friends will be at the Jimmy Fund's Fit Fest Saturday. The event raises money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.