Jacksonville 13-year-old battling cancer encourages others to not give up: "You can beat this."

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of cancer patients and their families got together Thursday night to find support and raise money for research. There was one teenager at the event who is inspiring others.

He's all smiles and all laughs. You would never know this 13-year-old just had chemotherapy Thursday.

"I got a spinal tap today. I'm in a little pain, so I took two Tylenol, I'm doing a lot better," he said.

Joshua Ribeiro was diagnosed last November with acute lymphoblastic leukemia; the most common cancer in those younger than 20-years-old.

"We're at the point where I'm getting chemo once a month; spinal taps." He also goes through another type of chemo every week.

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While he's in pain, he couldn't miss Thursday night's Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk, where he shared his story to a crowd of hundreds.

When Joshua isn't getting regular treatments, he's out helping other kids going through the same thing – he visits hospitals, serves meals to cancer patients and their families.

"This honestly puts a smile on my face," Ribeiro said.

He may be only 13 and going through a painful experience  -- something no teenager should have to face -- but he chooses to stay positive.

"You can't have the mindset of you're going to go down. You have to have the mindset that you've got this. This is nothing. I can beat it, and I know that I can get through this," he said.

Walgreens, a Leading Light partner at tonight's walk, recently announced a $25 million commitment to LLS and Susan G. Komen to enable research in tough-to-treat cancers and increase access to care. Walgreens customers can get involved by donating at their local store at checkout through Nov. 17.

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Cox Media Group