Portsmouth Teen To Graduate After Fighting Rare Form of Cancer

Tessa Najmy will never forget the summer of 2009. Preparing to start high school, this Portsmouth teen was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. 

"Synovial sarcoma," Najmy said. "It was in my right arm. I underwent a year of treatment." 

After six rounds of chemotherapy and two months of radiation, Najmy returned to Portsmouth High School for her sophomore year. Four years later, she will join her peers on stage to accept her Portsmouth High School diploma. 

She will also graduate as a recipient of the prestigious Principle's Award. 

"Tess Najmy is a success story," Portsmouth High School Principal Robert Littlefield said Monday night. "She inspired other students to step forward at blood drives."

Tessa not only returned to Portsmouth High School after fighting cancer, but rejoined the school's gymnastics team and continued her passion of dancing. 

She also created blood donation bags as part of her senior project. She talks about the project in the video above. 

Najmy will attend Salve Regina University in the fall.