Remarkable journey: North Oconee grad Mary Webb beats brain cancer and soon heads to UGA

Mary Webb recently graduated from North Oconee High School, but four years ago it didn't feel like an inevitability that she would one day receive a diploma.

During her freshman year, Webb received a devastating diagnose for anyone, much less a 14-year-old. She had brain cancer.

But with treatment and grit, the now 18-year-old overcame her illness and plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

Webb, along with her family, knew something was potentially very wrong when she first exhibited symptoms. Initially, there were so many mixed signals it was difficult to pinpoint the problem. That was until her vision started to deteriorate and she was diagnosed with brain cancer in September 2020.

"Hearing the words that I had cancer was just crazy to me because you don't really expect that as a kid," said Webb.

Because of her vision loss, Webb had to start her treatment right away. She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments to rid her of the two mixed-germ cell tumors found on her brain. Although she was homebound for school her freshman year, she continued her studies while doing treatments.

"Every weekday for six weeks, we would drive to downtown Atlanta, which was literally right across from the Fox Theater," said Webb. "We'd go there everyday and we'd jam out to rock music."

When heading out for treatments, neighbors gathered in her yard holding signs and offering prayers in a heartfelt vigil for Webb.

"At that point in my life, I had no idea that many people loved me," said Webb. "There's so many people around you that sometimes you don't even know are there, but when you need them, they will be and that's really what gave me hope."

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It's been three years since Webb became free of cancer. Her hard work and determination paid off when she was admitted to UGA through early action, and she will be starting this fall in the honors college.

"I think thing that we're most proud of with Mary is that it doesn't matter what news we got, how sick she felt, she just kept moving forward and we just took it day by day," said Kery Webb, Mary's mother.

With a passion for both music and communication, she plans to double major in music percussion performance and public relations. Ultimately, her dream is to work for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation and play in a symphony.

For more information or to show your support, please visit caringbridge.org .

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Remarkable journey: North Oconee grad Mary Webb beats brain cancer and soon heads to UGA