Jungle Island's Peanut Meets With Cancer Survivors

A group from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society met with Jungle Island's cancer survivor Peanut the orangutan Sunday.

Cancer survivors had a meet and greet with one of Miami's most lovable patients -- Peanut the orangutan.

The group of survivors with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society spent the afternoon at Jungle Island with Peanut, who became the first in the world to be treated with aggressive chemotherapy, the same course of treatment a human would get.

The 9-year-old primate has been in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for more than a year now and paints during her free time.

"Probably the most lasting effect is she's very spoiled because she asked for everything and we gave it to her whenever she was going through her chemo and when she was sick, but that's a small price to pay," said orangutan caregiver Linda Jacobs.

Peanut shared her paintings with the other cancer survivors Saturday.

"I think it's pretty cool that an orangutan that went through that survives like this so it's amazing," said 13-year-old survivor Victoria Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is an Honored Hero for LLS's School and Youth Program as well as a past Fort Lauderdale Girl of the Year.

Her father said seeing Peanut was encouraging.

"[It's a] wonderful experience and we're here to support Peanut and her journey," Oscar Gonzalez said. "I could relate to this as a parent and what we have been through and it's wonderful to know that she's doing well and she's a fighter. She's a fighter just like us."

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