7-year-old returns to school after battle with leukemia, inspires teacher

An elementary school student recently scored a huge victory in his cancer fight when he returned to in-person classes.

Posted 1:02 p.m. May 5, 2021 — Updated 1:13 p.m. May 5, 2021

BRISTOL, VA. — An elementary school student recently scored a huge victory in his cancer fight when he returned to in-person classes.

Max Rodriguez was all smiles on his first day back among his classmates at St. Anne Catholic School in Bristol, Va. Max has spent years fighting leukemia, but doctors now say Max is cancer-free.

"They called me last week and said he has no cancer," said Rosalia Portilla, Max's mom. "Our faith is always positive in God. He's cured now and it's the most important thing for us."

Max's recovery was due in part to his older brother, who was his bone marrow donor.

Some of his schoolmates made "Mr. T" t-shirts and a blanket to comfort Max while he was going through chemotherapy. A teacher at Max's school was recently diagnosed with cancer and said he draws courage from Max.

"I think about what I'm going through and I think that he's already done that," said teacher Scott Thiers. "Wherever I can find inspiration, I look for it. Max is one of them."

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