Philadelphia area teen who beat the odds despite cancer is ready to graduate tonight

When Gary Keller was diagnosed with a very rare cancer in December 2008, his mom didn’t think he was going to make it to Christmas.  Tonight the Montgomery County teen will graduate from Upper Perkiomen High School. 

Keller has gained a reputation among his classmates as the kind of kid who doesn’t complain, even when he’s feeling wiped out.  He said he fought to get to graduation–despite plenty of people’s predictions he wouldn’t make it.”They were proven wrong,” said Keller.  “I’m really excited.”Gary Keller Sr. said it will be a blessing to watch his son accept his diploma.”It’s gonna be a surreal moment really,” he said.  “Oh my gosh.  I don’t think there’s a word that can describe how we feel.  We’re beyond excited.  It’s just we’re so darn proud of him.”Keller Sr. credited his son’s never-give-up attitude.”He never blamed anybody and so he never really had a bitterness about him,” said the proud father.  “We’re a pretty religious family and he just has a lot of faith in God and prayer.” The teen’s mom, Cindy, said it brings her to tears.”I’m just so excited and so happy for him,” she said.  “They will have assistance for him but he’s telling me he’s walking.”In some ways Gary Keller sounds like any other high school graduate.  The teen said he’s excited because after graduation he won’t have to wake-up so early.