Mom fighting cancer close to goal; seeing son graduate from HS | Parents & kids

There is only one thing that could keep Jan Downs from attending a high school graduation tonight, and it could happen at any minute.

Valedictorian David Downs has never received a grade below an A. As the Bellevue Christian senior rehearses his graduation speech, he reflects on the relative he feared would miss this milestone.

“There's no way I could give a speech without her in the crowd,” he says. “Knowing that she'll be here is a really important thing.”

David dedicates his speech to a woman who once taught kindergarten at his school, a woman who taught him that you can't choose your journey, but you can choose your attitude.

“My mom has been able to use her cancer as a way to work in other people's lives,” David Downs says.

“I've tried everything,” Jan Downs says. “The cancer is winning.”

Ovarian cancer has exploded throughout Jan Downs’ body.

“I seriously could go at any minute,” she says.

Living to see her youngest son graduate answers her dying prayers.

“Lord, I do not want to leave anyone young behind,” says Jan. “My sister, who died at 28, left a two-year-old and that's not what anyone signs up for. So I prayed I would get to see my kids get older.”

David was in sixth grade when doctors diagnosed his mom's illness. The 18-year-old has earned a full scholarship to Seattle Pacific University, a reason to celebrate as he struggles with sadness.

“She's going to a better place,” says David, “but for me it's gonna be hard not having a grandmother for my kids.”

But tonight, she'll be there for her kid.

“It's amazing,” Jan says. “I should have set a bigger goal.”