Actor and director John Krasinski sought refuge from relentless and distressing pandemic-related news stories on Wednesday and asked Twitter for #SomeGoodNews.
Alright everybody, how about #SomeGoodNews ! Send me the stories that have made you feel good this week or the things that just made you smile!
— John Krasinski (@johnkrasinski) March 25, 2020
April Danz, mother of Courtney “Coco” Johnson, answered the call with a video of her 15-year-old daughter returning home after a 10-month battle with cancer.
#SomeGoodNews my daughter, Coco, finished her final chemo treatment yesterday and our friends had a surprise social distancing welcome home parade for her! pic.twitter.com/CI2um08ird
— April Danz (@momuses) March 25, 2020
“I was just completely overwhelmed,” Coco told Buzzfeed. “I wasn’t expecting anything, and I was just so surprised and grateful that everyone showed up to celebrate me.”
“It really hit me at that moment that everyone was there for me,” she said.
The California teen was diagnosed with cancer the day after her eighth-grade graduation ceremony.
After many difficult and painful months, Coco completed her final chemotherapy session on Tuesday, but due to precautions taken during the coronavirus outbreak, she was unable to take part in the small ceremony normally held for outgoing patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Who wants a feel good moment during this madness?? My sweet girl finished chemo today. pic.twitter.com/cckQtY6VrO
— April Danz (@momuses) March 25, 2020
But her community figured out a way to safely celebrate Coco’s homecoming. Expecting only a few friends in cars, gathering on their street to wave to Coco at a safe distance, Danz was as surprised and touched as Coco was, as they drove past dozens and dozens of well-wishers with signs, streamers, and balloons.
Danz’s video of Coco provided much-needed relief and positivity to the timeline.
Well this is one of the greatest things I’ve seen. Welcome home Coco!!
— John Krasinski (@johnkrasinski) March 25, 2020
This is beautiful. Welcome Home!!
— Lolo (@Nurse26Lolo) March 25, 2020
Welcome home Coco!!! ❤️
— Angela Kinsey🍩 (@AngelaKinsey) March 26, 2020
And then other celebrities caught wind of the uplifting video.
Sweetest thing. #communitymatters https://t.co/lgNHi4Dpv6
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) March 26, 2020
A cheer from me to Coco! Congrats on finishing her last chemo....and watching these people proves once again...people are kind... https://t.co/i9rq3ymVu5
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) March 26, 2020
People may need some goodness right now. Coco finished her last chemo treatment yesterday. 9 months later and Ewing sarcoma can SUCK IT! Our community threw an impromptu welcome home party for our favorite warrior. Leave a comment below...let her know how radical she is! #COCO pic.twitter.com/DEzpw9UF7c
— matthew lillard (@MatthewLillard) March 25, 2020
Danz knows why the video went viral: “I think it struck a chord in the country right now because people are needing to lean on others and get to know their neighbors.”
Relating to those isolated and in lockdown during the coronavirus outbreak, Coco reminds us, “It’s important to stick together and support each other in this hard time.”