Battling terminal leukemia, E. Texas teen's message: 'Never give up'

KILGORE, TX (KLTV) - The heartbreaking story of an East Texas teen's battle with leukemia, and her mother's devotion to her, has brought out a community in support.

Soft-spoken and sweet natured, 17-year-old Kilgore High School senior Lynzee Ford is fighting leukemia.

"Well I didn't take it too hard. I didn't want to stress myself out, so I decided to take it in and work with it," Lynzee says.

However, doctors in Dallas say after five rounds of chemo treatments, nothing more can be done. Her leukemia is terminal.

"They've done all that they can do. Lynzee was diagnosed with leukemia on March 8th. If I could take this from her I would, and put it in my body," says Lynzee's mother Valerie Warren.

"It kind of wore me out. Kind of down and very tired," says Lynzee.

Then her mother was fired from her job for spending too much time off to be with Lynzee during treatments.

"I was supposed to be with Lynzee at the hospital so I was happy to be able to be there with her and just be a mother," Warren says.

An outraged public came to help the family, by building a wheelchair ramp and repairing the family home.

"It touched my heart and I knew that had to do something. Good health is something we take for granted every day, a lot of us every day, and nobody should have to go through this, and especially not a child," says volunteer David Barrett.

"I think every now and then, a special child comes to children's hospital and I do know that Lynzee's that special child right now. There's still good people, loving people in this world," says Warren.

Through it all, Lynzee has inspired those who have come to know her with her courage.

"She's happy to be at home, going to school being with her friends, being a regular teenager," Warren says.

Lynzee offers a simple message.

"Never give up. Never give up," she says.

Warren is taking Lynzee to Houston to get a second opinion from doctors there.

A fund has been set up to help Lynzee and her family with medical expenses. If you'd like to help, you can donate to the 'I Love Lynzee Project' at Kilgore National Bank.

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