Pivik Elementary third grader Joey Byrnes is a superhero to his family, classmates and teachers. It’s not because he has super strength or heat vision or leaps tall buildings in a single bound. He has the power of positivity and a strong will. The Plum student recently completed his last chemotherapy treatment in a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Joey, known to family and friends as "JoeNado,” was diagnosed in September 2019 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It’s a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. The disease is the most common type of cancer in children, according to the Mayo Clinic. It progresses rapidly and creates immature blood cells, rather than mature ones. Symptoms include fever, frequent or severe nosebleeds, frequent infections, pale skin, shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue. Joey’s mother, Jean Byrnes, said he still has some time before officially being declared a cancer survivor, including five years of checkups, because of the possibility of a relapse. "For the most part, he is done with treatment and therapy,” she said. The family and school celebrated the milestone Friday. It was a superhero day to raise cancer awareness, as well. Some students dressed as their favorite characters. Students made signs, chanted "Joey, Joey” and "ring that bell” as part of Friday’s celebration. "They have 100% rallied around him,” teacher Carissa Yuhasz said. "We always say we’re a family in my classroom. We were more than happy to celebrate our family … We made it ‘Joey Day,’ and we let him have a fun day and make this all about him.” The family took photos together near the Pivik’s main entrance before stepping out to the roar of the crowd. "(We’re) happy to be at this point and see all the support that they’ve shown us throughout the journey,” said Joey’s dad, Bob Byrnes. "There’s just so much that we’ve had to do. It was definitely difficult at times, but his mentality and demeanor just made it easy. He’s always positive and upbeat. "He feels great right now. There’s definitely been some days where he got sick from the medication and things like that, but right now he’s basically almost a normal kid again.” One of Joey’s favorite heroes is Captain America. He wore a mask Friday featuring the Marvel icon’s shield. Students, staff and guests have to wear a mask while in school buildings. "I like it, and I didn’t see it coming,” Joey said about his special day. The "JoeNado” nickname was coined by his grandmother, Regina Byrnes. What once was a description of a hyper-energetic whirlwind of a child has since become a calling for strength. "When he was younger, he would come over and we would babysit him,” Regina Byrnes recalled. "My house would be torn apart (by the time) he left. I’m like, ‘You’re like a tornado. You’re JoeNado.’ He hated it at first, but then, when we got cancer, we said, ‘We need JoeNado to come out,’ because we needed him to tear up this cancer. He loved it after that.” Friends from Regina Byrnes’ work, Shaw Sports Turf, made a drawing of what Joey would look like as said superhero. It looks close to Red Tornado, DC Comics’ character of a similar name. She commended the district students and staff for all they’ve done for Joey. "They’ve done everything right and totally made him feel so involved and so supported,” Regina Byrnes said. Yuhasz said shemet Joey two years ago when he was first diagnosed. The district was able to support the family through Kids That Care, a service organization Yuhasz and fourth-grade teacher Melissa Bradfield created to help improve their school and community. They held various fundraisers for the family, including one in which students shaved male teachers’ heads. "It’s really cool to see how it’s come full circle because now I’m his teacher,” Yuhasz said. "Back then, I didn’t even know him. He’s honestly the coolest kid I’ve ever met. For someone who’s battled what he has, he has the best sense of humor and the best smile. He truly is an inspiration.” Joey’s mother was holding back tears as she filmed the outside celebration with her phone. "(It’s) overwhelming, but full of joy,” Jean Byrnes said. The family left in a limo escorted by a host of Plum fire trucks. They went to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to meet with other Children’s Hospital families and cut the hair of University of Pittsburgh football team longsnapper Cal Adomitis. Adomitis, who wears No. 94 on the football field, aimed to raise $94,000 this year for child cancer care at Children’s. The final tally was more than $115,000. Joey has a message for all the other children battling cancer and other illnesses. "You can win,” he said. Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter . Support Local Journalism and help us continue covering the stories that matter to you and your community. Support Journalism Now >