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Rivalries are good for sports teams. Turns out, they can be good for people, too.
A 12-year-old boy just proved that in his fight against cancer.
Grant Reed was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2011. A member of a diehard Ohio State family, Reed nicknamed his disease “Michigan.” And now, he has beaten it.
Reed, was released from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus Friday after receiving a final chemotherapy session.
Grant's father, Troy Reed, on Tuesday said his son was readmitted to the hospital over the weekend because of a bacterial infection, but he added the boy is doing ''very well.''
''Our prognosis is very good,'' he said. ''It shows that he has indeed beat Michigan.''
In May 2012, Grant underwent a 16 1/2-hour surgery to have a brain tumor removed. Although the surgery was successful, he woke up without being able to move his left side or speak and had a serious vision problem.
He spent nearly 10 weeks at the hospital following the surgery. He then went through occupational and speech therapies and was able to continue to attend school. He will be in seventh grade this fall.
But his road to recovery included several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
Grant's first chemo session, his dad said, was during the Buckeyes' season-opening game in September.
''We had a mini party and watched the Buckeyes play here at the hospital,'' Troy Reed said Tuesday while Grant was back at the hospital. He added that the Reeds continued to watch OSU games at the hospital during the weekends that Grant was admitted to continue his chemotherapy treatment.
Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer visited the boy at the hospital in December. Grant's father said his son talked to Meyer for about 20 minutes.
''He was thrilled,'' the father said.
Grant's parents met as members of the Ohio State Marching Band and got engaged during a game in 1994. Troy Reed said Grant and his 9-year-old brother Collin have a ''true respect for the rivalry that OSU and Michigan share.''
Troy Reed said the family is hoping to attend a game during this year's season, provided that Grant's health allows them.
"We've beaten Michigan for the short term, but like any rival, there's a chance it can come back," Troy told NBC-4.
While he will return to the hospital every three months for an MRI, Grant and his brother donated two wagons for future patients — with one caveat.
"We did make the stipulation. It had to say 'Beat Michigan' on it," Troy told the news site.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
