Head boy diagnosed with terminal cancer delivers emotional speech at prize-giving ceremony in New Zealand

Jake Bailey, head boy at Christchurch Boys’ High School, spoke at the ceremony despite having been diagnosed with Burkitts non-Hodgkinson lymphoma just one week earlier.

Doctors told Jake Bailey that he would not be able to attend his school’s prize-giving ceremony after being diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only three weeks to live.

But last week, the 18-year-old made a surprise visit and delivered a profound 20-minute address at the ceremony; the footage has now received over 250,000 views on YouTube.

Just over a week ago, Mr Bailey was diagnosed with Burkitts non-Hodgkinson lymphoma, which requires intensive chemotherapy to treat.

In his speech, he explained that his diagnosis put his original address in a new context. Quoting Jim Rohn, an American motivational speaker, the 18-year-old explained “here’s the thing, none of us get out of life alive. So be gallant, be great, be gracious and be grateful for the opportunities you have.”

Head boy diagnosed with terminal cancer delivers emotional speech at prize-giving ceremony in New Zealand

Mr Bailey thanked his peers, members of staff and ‘old boys’ at Christchurch Boys’ High School for their friendship.

“I don’t know where it goes from here for any of us, for me, for you, but I wish you the very best on your journey and I thank you for being a part of mine. Wherever we go and whatever we do, may we always be friends and meet again.”

The address was met with an emotional haka and rendition of the school song.