A pair of 3-year-olds who were battling cancer in the same hospital had a heartwarming reunion for the first time outside the hospital walls.
Mack Porter met Payson Altice in 2021 at Phoenix Children’s Hospital while both were battling cancer. They were reunited in late July after they both went into remission and were released from the hospital.
Mack handed Payson a beautiful arrangement of flowers and they had a tender hug. The two soon-to-be preschoolers then danced together, and Mack demonstrated how to swirl around.
They spent the morning playing with toys Mack chose since he wanted to make sure he packed the ones Payson would enjoy. He’s such a thoughtful child for his age.
Mack was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in January 2021 and met Payson while she was battling B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the hospital.
The two became friends because they both liked «Peppa Pig,» and Payson later introduced Mack to the «Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.» «That was a blessing to just watch our children be children.» Danielle Porter, Mack’s mother, remarked after seeing the two children reunited.
Mack’s first question every morning is apparently, «When can I play with Payson?» The two 3-year-olds have clearly created a friendship, which we hope will remain forever. Payson’s mother, Tracey Altice, spoke about learning so much from the children. «During these scary and hard times,» she said, «look to the children because they’ll lead the way.»