A nine-year-old girl was brought to tears on November 10 as she was surprised with the news that her mother was cancer-free.

The girl’s mother, Leeanne O’Donoghue of Belfast, Northern Ireland, revealed the good news by handing her daughter, Eireann, a balloon bearing the words: “Mummy is cancer-free.”

As Eireann reads the words out loud, her face lights up in astonishment and joy. She rushes to hug her mother and burst into tears of joy.

“Is that, like, the best birthday present ever?” Leeanne asks Eireann, ahead of her 10th birthday on Tuesday. “Yeah,” Eireann replies, tearfully.

According to BelfastLive, O’Donoghue was diagnosed in April with a rare form of cancer in her vagina and underwent six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

“The radiotherapy was soul destroying. It was horrific leaving my children for it. That was really tough. The whole summer was soul destroying for them too,” O’Donoghue was quoted as saying.

O’Donoghue told BelfastLive she hopes to encourage people to go for cervical screenings, also called smear tests, which are freely available to people aged 25 to 64.

“It really could save your life and pick up something early. I know that I am a very lucky person, but some people aren’t so lucky and I am very aware of that,” O’Donoghue said. Credit: Leeanne O’Donoghue via Storyful

Video transcript

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: What did you say? Is it like what?

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: An early birthday present?

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: Yeah, kind of.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: What?

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: Now close your eyes.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: Are you gonna lead me?

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: It's kind of like an early birthday present.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: Kinda?

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: It's probably the best birthday present you'll ever get in your life.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: OK. OK.

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: So keep your eyes closed. Turn around this way. Keep them closed.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: OK. OK.

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: Now I'll tell you when. Go.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: Oh, my God. Thank you so much.

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: No. Did you read it? You didn't read the balloon? Read the balloon.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: What does it say? "Mommy--" What does it say?

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: "Mommy is--"

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: "Mommy--" are you cancer-free?

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: Yes!

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: Oh, my God!

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: [CRYING]

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: Oh my God.

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: At last.

[CRYING] Happy birthday. Oh, my God.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: [INAUDIBLE].

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: Oh, baby. I found out today. You were like, oh, thank you so much for the balloon. I was like, no, you have to read it. I love you.

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: I love you too.

LEEANNE O'DONOGHUE: Are you happy? Was that like the best birthday present ever?

EIREANN O'DONOGHUE: Yeah.

[LAUGHING]