Seven-year-old Gemma lights up a room. She's funny, she's warm, and she has big dreams of becoming a veterinarian someday. But not long ago, her family's world was turned upside down by three words no parent ever wants to hear: your child has cancer.

Gemma was just 5 years old when doctors diagnosed her with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It's the most common type of cancer in children. For Gemma's mom, Julie, the news felt like the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.

What followed was more than two years of treatment. Gemma was in and out of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Division of Pediatric Cancer again and again, facing a disease that most kids her age never have to think about.

Even during the toughest parts of treatment, Gemma found moments that made her smile. She met social media pup Brody the Doodle. She spent a Make-A-Wish day at Zoo Miami, surrounded by the animals she loves so much.

"I really want to help animals," Gemma said, "and I really want to make them feel better."

It's a fitting dream for a girl who spent years learning what it feels like to be cared for by people determined to help her heal.

Leading Gemma's care was Brian Cauff, MD, a pediatric oncologist at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital with more than 20 years of experience treating children with cancer. He says the outlook for kids with cancer today is more hopeful than most people realize.

Dr. Cauff and Gemma built a bond over their two years together, one built on trust and, often, a shared sense of humor.

"When people find out what I do, I generally get that 'aw' reaction," he said. "And the truth is, it's completely the opposite. I'm surrounded by amazing kids and amazing parents, like Gemma and her mom. To get to see them go from where they were to where they are, it's the most gratifying."

Every family walking the childhood cancer journey looks forward to the day their child rings the bell, a hospital tradition marking the end of treatment. For Gemma, that day came last May.

"Seeing her ring the bell, that was the moment I think we all could breathe again," Dr. Cauff said. "And just be joyful, and know that from here on out, we're going to be okay."

Today, Gemma is cancer-free. She's back to being a kid: making jokes, dreaming about animals, and getting the rock star treatment every time she walks through the doors at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.