Nightly News Full Broadcast - Jan. 28

Summary

The script covers major events including a drone strike killing 3 U.S. soldiers in Jordan, blamed on Iran-backed militants. This prompted calls for retaliation and impeachment of the Homeland Security head over border issues. Positive news on potential hostage releases in Gaza is reported. Other notable events include a swatting incident targeting Nikki Haley, a truck fire releasing circus animals on a highway, and a cancer support program helping kids via rock climbing.

Takeaways

• 😢 3 U.S. soldiers were killed in a drone strike in Jordan, the first combat deaths since the war between Israel and Gaza began
• 😡 The White House blames Iranian-backed militant groups for the attack and vows retaliation
• 🤔 Some in Congress call for direct U.S. strikes on Iran in response
• 👮 Republicans unveiled plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the U.S.-Mexico border crisis
• 🤝 Bipartisan senators reach a deal on changing border policies amid pressure from Trump to sink it
• 😨 Nikki Haley reveals she was the victim of "swatting" with armed police called to her home
• 😅 A truck carrying zebras and camels caught fire in Indiana; state troopers helped wrangle the escaped animals
• 🎨 Climate protesters threw soup on the Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre museum in Paris
• 💪 A program called Rock Cancer helps kids with cancer build strength and community through rock climbing
• 👭 A 17-year-old survivor now encourages other young cancer warriors that they are 'not alone'

Q & A

What happened that resulted in the deaths of 3 American soldiers?

A drone struck a shelter where troops were sleeping in Jordan, resulting in the deaths of 3 American soldiers.

Who does the White House blame for the attack?

The White House blames radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in the region.

What is the White House's response to the attack?

President Biden vowed to retaliate, promising to hold all those responsible to account at a time and manner of the US's choosing.

What is the context around the recent attacks on US troops?

The attacks are part of over 160 assaults against bases with Americans in Iraq and Syria since October 17th by Iranian-backed militia groups.

What are some calling for in response to the attack?

Some members of Congress are calling for direct strikes inside Iran in retaliation.

What is the impeachment effort against Alejandro Mayorkas?

House Republicans unveiled plans to impeach Mayorkas, arguing he has failed to protect the southern border. The White House calls it unconstitutional.

What is the bipartisan Senate deal on border policies?

After weeks of closed-door talks, a bipartisan Senate deal on border policies is finalized that President Biden has agreed to. The details are not yet released.

What happened to Nikki Haley?

Haley was the victim of "swatting," where someone made a fake 911 call to police claiming a violent incident at her home, resulting in armed officers being sent to her house.

What happened with the truck of circus animals?

A truck carrying zebras, camels and other animals caught fire in Indiana. Officers had to rescue and wrangle the animals while extinguishing the blaze.

What is the Rock Cancer program?

Rock Cancer is a free rock climbing program for kids battling cancer, aimed at building their strength, courage and community with other patients.

Outlines

00:00

😨 Deadly drone attack kills 3 US soldiers in Jordan

3 US soldiers were killed and over 30 injured in a drone attack on a US outpost in Jordan near the Syrian border. The attack is blamed on Iranian-backed militant groups. President Biden vows retaliation against those responsible.

05:01

😡 Republicans unveil plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

House Republicans released articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the migrant surge at the southern border. Meanwhile, President Biden embraces tougher border measures as part of a bipartisan Senate deal on aid to Ukraine that former President Trump is trying to sink.

11:18

😱 Presidential candidate Nikki Haley reveals she was the target of "swatting"

Nikki Haley says a fake 911 call sent police to her home pointing guns at her senior parents. She calls it a dangerous and terrifying situation, highlighting the growing threat of "swatting" attacks aiming to cause harm.

Keywords

💡drone

A drone refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle that was used to carry out the attack that killed 3 American soldiers. This attack marks an escalation of conflict in the Middle East involving Iran-backed militant groups targeting US troops with drone strikes.

💡retaliate

President Biden vows that the US will retaliate against those responsible for the drone attack. Retaliation refers to carrying out acts of vengeance or punishment against those deemed responsible.

💡hostages

The script mentions that another deal may be in the works to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. Hostages refers to civilians or soldiers captured and held with the threat of violence to exert political leverage.

💡impeach

Republicans have brought impeachment charges against the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for failing to secure the border. Impeachment is a process to remove government officials from office for misconduct.

💡swatting

The script states that presidential candidate Nikki Haley was the victim of swatting recently, which refers to a dangerous prank of making fake emergency calls to send police to someone's home.

💡semis

A bizarre incident is described involving a semi truck transporting zebras and camels catching fire on a highway in Indiana. Semis refer to the long trucks used to transport cargo.

💡protesters

The script mentions protesters throwing soup on the Mona Lisa painting. Protesters refer to those who publicly demonstrate opposition to something.

💡deepfakes

Deepfake technology that can realistically simulate video and audio of people is mentioned as a rising threat. Deepfakes refer to content generated by AI to impersonate real people and spread misinformation.

💡cancer

The video ends on a positive note, covering a program helping kids with cancer overcome difficulties through rock climbing. This provides medical and emotional support.

💡community

The rock climbing program also connects kids battling cancer by giving them a supportive community of peers overcoming similar challenges.

Highlights

Three American soldiers killed in drone strike in Jordan, the first U.S. combat deaths since the Israel-Gaza war began.

President Biden vows retaliation, blaming Iranian-backed militant groups for the attack.

Some in Congress call for direct U.S. strikes against Iran in response.

Another drone targets a U.S. base in Iraq the same day, but no injuries reported.

Republicans unveil plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas over border crisis.

Biden embraces tougher border measures in bipartisan Senate deal on aid for Ukraine.

Trump tries to sink border deal, pressuring Republicans to campaign against Biden on immigration.

Presidential candidate Nikki Haley reveals she was target of 'swatting' with fake 911 call.

Camels, zebras rescued after circus animal truck catches fire on Indiana highway.

Protesters throw soup on Mona Lisa painting at Louvre museum, no damage caused.

Rock Climbing program helps kids with cancer build strength, courage and community.

Pediatric oncologist started free program to help patients like 17-year-old cancer survivor.

For kids in program, climbing gives strength to battle cancer and feel normal.

Mother says program gives her son with cancer a sense of normalcy and that he owns disease.

Founders hope to expand rock climbing program to help more kids with cancer.

Transcripts

>>> TONIGHT, THE DEADLY ATTACK

>>> TONIGHT, THE DEADLY ATTACK

ON U.S. TROOPS.

THE FIRST AMERICAN MILITARY

COMBAT FATALITIES IN THE MIDDLE

EAST SINCE THE WAR IN GAZA

BEGAN.

THREE AMERICAN SOLDIERS KILLED,

DOZENS MORE INJURED AFTER A

DRONE ATTACK ON A U.S. OUTPOST

INSIDE JORDAN.

THE WHITE HOUSE BLAMING

IRANIAN-BACKED MILITANT GROUPS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN VOWING TO

RETALIATE.

SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CALLING

FOR DIRECT STRIKES INSIDE IRAN.

THE DEADLY ATTACK, A MAJORES

CLAGSZ

ESCALATION IN THE REGION.

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT,

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS FAILED TO

SECURE THE BORDER AND SHOULD BE

IMPEACHED AS SENATORS FINALIZE A

BIPARTISAN DEAL TO CHANGE BORDER

POLICIES.

WHY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS

TRYING TO SINK IT.

>>> NIKKI HALEY, THE LATEST

VICTIM OF SWATTING.

POLICE CALLEDED TO HER HOME WITH

A FAKE 911 CALL, POINTING GUNS

AT HER SENIOR PARENTS.

WHAT SHE TOLD KRISTEN WELKER IN

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW.

>> IT PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER.

IT WAS NOT A SAFE SITUATION.

TERRIFYING NEW VIDEO OF A

10-YEAR-OLD BOY ATTACKED AT A

SHARK EXHIBIT IN A BAHAMAS

RESORT AND THE WILD SCENE AN

INDIANA HIGHWAY, CAMELS, ZEBRAS

AND THE OFFICERS WHO WRANGLED

THEM ALL.

♪

♪

>>> THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS"

WITH WAIT SNOW.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH WHAT IS A

TRAGEDY FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE

THREE AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO HAVE

LOST THEIR LIVES AND ALSO A

POSSIBLE TURNING POINT FOR

CONFLICTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

TODAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE

THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GAZA

BEGAN BACK IN OCTOBER, AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS WERE KILLED WHEN

SERVICE MEMBERS WERE KILLED WHEN A DRONE

A DRONE YEMEN, AND LOOMING

A DRONE YEMEN, AND LOOMING

FAR TO THE EAST, IRAN.

THE WHITE HOUSE ALLEGES THAT

COUNTRY PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN

TODAY'S ATTACK AND OTHERS.

SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND

OTHERS CALLING FOR THE U.S. TO

RETALIATE AGAINST IRAN DIRECTLY.

WE HAVE TWO REPORTS BEGINNING

WITH COURTNEY KUBE AT THE

PENTAGON.

>> TODAY THREE U.S. SOLDIERS

WERE KILLED IN JORDAN WHERE A

DRONE STRUCK A SHELTER WHERE

TROOPS WERE SLEEPING.

>> WE LOST SOULS AND I ASK FOR A

MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ALL THREE

OF THOSE SOULS.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN BLAMING

RADICAL IRAN-BACKED MILITANT

GROUPS OPERATING IN THE REGION.

MORE THAN 30 U.S. TROOPS WERE

ALSO WOUNDED ACCORDING TO U.S.

OFFICIALS INCLUDING SEVERAL WHO

WERE MEDEVAC'D OUT BECAUSE OF

THOR IS OFITY OF THEIR INJURIES.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE JORDANIAN

GOVERNMENT DENIED THE ATTACK

OCCURRED ON THEIR SOIL, BUT U.S.

OFFICIALS INSIST IT WAS IN

JORDAN.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME U.S.

TROOPS HAVE BEEN KILLED DURING

THE MORE THAN THREE MONTHS OF

ASSAULTS BY IRANIAN-BACKED

MILITIA GROUPS.

NOW MORE THAN 160 ATTACKS

AGAINST BASES WITH AMERICANS IN

IRAQ AND SYRIA SINCE OCTOBER

17th.

AND JUST ONE WEEK AGO, MULTIPLE

U.S. TROOPS WERE INJURED WHEN A

BARRAGE OF BALLISTIC MISSILES

HIT AL ARC SAD AIR BASE IN IRAQ.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD

AUSTIN RELEASED A STATEMENT

SAYING HE IS OUTRAGED AND DEEPLY

SADDENED.

THE ATTACK TARGETED A SMALL

OUTPOST NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER

KNOWN AS TOWER 22 ACCORDING TO

U.S. OFFICIALS AND THE GROUP

WORKED WITH AND ADVISED THE

JORDANIAN MILITARY, BUT IT ALSO

SUPPORTS THE U.S. GARRISON ON

THE OTHER PART OF THE BORDER IN

SYRIA.

WE VISITED THAT BASE FIVE YEARS

AGO.

THE GROUPS THERE TASKED WITH

KEEPING ICIS IN CHECK, BUT THE

ENTIRE AREA HAS A MUCH BIGGER

MISSION, SITUATED ALONG A

HIGHWAY THAT RUNS FROM TEHRAN TO

BAGHDAD AND ALL OF THE WAY TO

DAMAGE US

DAM AVENG

DAMASCUS, THE TROOPS ARE CUTTING

OFF WEAPONS AND FIGHTERS INTO

SYRIA.

>> BACK NOW TO COURTNEY AT THE

PENTAGON AND WOOE HEARING THERE

WAS ANOTHER ATTACK TODAY?

>> ANOTHER ATTACK DRONE TARGETED

AL ARC SADSSAD AIR BASS IN IRAQ,

NO INJURIES REPORT PERIOD.

>> COURTNEY, THANK YOU FOR ALL

OF YOUR REPORTING.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID AMERICA

WILL RETALIATE, BUT HE HAS BEEN

UNDER FIRE FOR NOT RESPONDING

MORE FORCEFULLY TO PREVIOUS

ATTACKS AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS

TONIGHT ABOUT HOW DIRECTLY THE

U.S. SHOULD TARGET IRAN.

ERIN GILCHRIST WAS WITH THE

PRESIDENT TODAY.

>> A STERN WARNING FROM

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND AFTER THE

DEATHS OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN

JORDAN.

>> WE SHALL RESPOND.

>> THE PRESIDENT VOWING TO

RETALIATE PROMISING IN A

STATEMENT TO HOLD ALL THOSE

RESPONSIBLE TO ACCOUNT AT A TIME

AND MANNER OF OUR CHOOSING.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP

ISSUING HIS OWN STATEMENT

BLAMING THE ATTACK ON, QUOTE,

JOE BIDEN'S WEAKNESS AND

SURRENDER.

LINDSAY GRAHAM CALLING ON THE

PRESIDENT TO STRIKE TARGETS OF

SIGNIFICANCE INSIDE IRAN.

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS

MADE MAJOR EFFORTS TO KEEP THIS

WAR IN GAZA FROM ESCALATING,

DETERRENCE HAS FAILED.

>> THE MILITIA GROUPS THE WHITE

HOUSE SAYS ARE BEHIND THE DRONE

STRIKES ARE BEING ARMED AND

FUNDED BY IRAN.

>> THEY HAVE SOME AUTONOMY, BUT

THIS IS IRAN ORCHESTRATING ON

U.S. MILITARY FORCES AND

INTERESTS IN THE REGION.

SINCE THE HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL

THESE SMALLER MILITANT GROUPS

HAVE TARGETED SITES WITH

AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS IN

SYRIA AND IRAQ DOZENS OF TIMES.

THE PENTAGON HAS BEEN HITTING

BACK IN YEMEN AFTER THEY BEGAN

FIRING ON U.S. NAVY SHIPS AND

OTHER VESSELS.

THE ATTACK IN JORDAN CLAIMING

AMERICAN LIVES AND INJURING

DOZENS COULD CHANGE THINGS.

>> WHAT SOURCE OF OPTIONS WOULD

YOU WANT TO BE ON THE TABLE?

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE

FORCED INTO WALKING AWAY FROM

SO-CALLED PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE

AGAINST A FIRING UNIT THAT HAS

ENGAGED U.S. FORCES.

AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO GO TO

A HIGHER LEVEL PRESSURE POINT

AND APPLY ECONOMIC, DIPLOMATIC,

COVERT AND MILITARY ACTION THAT

STUNS THE IRANIAN DECISION

MAKERS.

>> AND AARON JOINS ME NOW.

THERE ARE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS

CONCERNING THE HOSTAGES IN GAZA

TONIGHT?

>> KATE, A SOURCE FAMILIAR TELLS

ME THAT ANOTHER DEAL TO HAVE

HOSTAGES RELEASED IN GAZA COULD

BE COMING TOGETHER.

IT IS NOT IMMINENT, BUT IT WOULD

HELP TO EASE TENSIONS ACROSS THE

REGION.

KATE?

>> HOPEFUL NEWS.

THANK YOU.

>>> REPUBLICANS UNVEILED PLANS

TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S

SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS.

THEY ARGUE HE HAS FAILED TO

PROTECT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS WILLING TO

TAKE HIS MOST DRASTIC MEASURES

YET TO CHANGE WHAT'S HAPPENING

AT THE BORDER.

ALI RAFAH REPORTS FROM THE WHITE

HOUSE.

>> TONIGHT SECRETARY ALEJANDRO

MAYORKAS IN HOUSE REPUBLICANS'

CROSSHAIRS OVER THE SURGE OF

MIGRANTS OVER THE U.S.-MEXICO

BORDER.

THE HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY

COMMITTEE RELEASING ARTICLES OF

IMPEACHMENT AGAINST MAYORKAS

CHARGING HIM WITH UNWILLINGNESS

TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND BREAKING

PUBLIC TRUST.

THE WHITE HOUSE CALLS

UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS SOON AS

TUESDAY.

>> BREACH OF THE PUBLIC TRUST IS

SUFFICIENT TO IMPEACH AND YOU

KNOW, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT

THAT WE RESPOND TO THE AMERICAN

PEOPLE.

>> BUT AT THE SAME TIME AFTER

WEEKS OF CLOSED-DOOR TALKS A

BIPARTISAN DEAL IN THE SENATE

THAT MAYORKAS HELPED TO

NEGOTIATE IS FINALIZED AND NOT

YET RELEASED.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IN A STARK SHIFT

FROM HIS EARLY DAYS IN OFFICE

EMBRACING TOUGHER BORDER MEASURE

TO LOCK IN A DEAL WITH

REPUBLICANS ON AID TO UKRAINE.

>> THAT BILL WAS A LAW TODAY I'D

SHUT DOWN THE BORDER TODAY AND

FIX IT QUICKLY.

>> BUT THE FATE OF THE CLEAR IS

STILL UNCLEAR.

>> I DO FEEL VERY POSITIVE ABOUT

IT BECAUSE EVEN THE INITIAL

FEEDBACK HAS BEEN GOOD.

>> EVEN IF IT PASSES IN THE

SENATE, HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE

JOHNSON WARNS THE DEAL IS LIKELY

DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN HIS CHAMBER.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP

WEIGHING IN.

>> I'D RATHER HAVE NO BILL THAN

A BAD BILL.

>> PRESSURING REPUBLICANS TO

KILL ANY BORDER AGREEMENT, A

MOVE MANY BELIEVE WOULD HELP HIM

CAMPAIGN AGAINST PRESIDENT

BIDEN.

SENATORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE

AISLE WHO HAVE WORKED ON THE

AGREEMENT FOR MONTHS FRUSTRATED

BY TRUMP'S PRESSURE CAMPAIGN.

>> I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL

STILL HAVE ENOUGH REPUBLICANS IN

THE SENATE THAT WOULD WANT TO

FIX THE PROBLEMS AT THE BORDER

RATHER THAN DO DONALD TRUMP'S

BIDDING.

>> ALI JOINS US FROM THE WHITE

HOUSE.

REPUBLICANS ARE LEADING THIS

IMPEACHMENT CHARGE AGAINST

MAYORKAS.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GOES FROM

THE HOUSE TO THE SENATE?

>> THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER

THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ON

TUESDAY AND IF THEY'RE APPROVED

THEY HEAD TO THE HOUSE AND IF

THE HOUSE DOES DECIDE TO IMPEACH

MAYORKAS IT GOES TO THE

DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED SENATE WHERE

THE EFFORT IS ALL, BUT CERTAIN

TO DIE.

KATE?

>> ALI, THANK YOU.

>>> PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NIKKI

HALEY IS OPENING UP TODAY REVEALING THAT SHE'S BEEN THE

REVEALING THAT SHE'S BEEN THE TARGET OF A FRIGHTENING TREND

GOING TO JAIL.

GOING TO JAIL. >> A GROWING MENACE CAUSING HARM

>> A GROWING MENACE CAUSING HARM

AND WASTING MAUI YESTERDAY

INJURING FIVE PASSENGERS AND A

FLIGHT ATTENDANT.

THEY WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND

ALL SIX HAVE SINCE BEEN

RELEASED.

>>> SOMETHING WEIRD HAPPENED IN

INDIANA, A SEMITRUCK CARRYING

CIRCUS ANIMALS CAUGHT FIRE.

DON'T WORRY, THE ANIMALS ARE ALL

OKAY AND STATE TROOPERS WERE

SUDDENLY WRANGLING ZEBRAS AND

THEY DEFINITELY EARNED THEIR

STRIPES.

SORRY.

HERE'S JESSE KIRSCH.

>> WHEN THE SEMI WENT UP IN

FLAMES OVERNIGHT POLICE SAY THEY

FOUND THE DRIVER SAFELY OUTSIDE

THE TRUCK, BUT THERE WERE

SEVERAL MORE LIVES TRAPPED

INSIDE THE TRAILER ALONG AN

INDIANA HIGHWAY.

POLICE SAY THE SEMI WAS CARRYING

TEN CIRCUS ANIMALS, FIVE ZEBRAS,

FOUR CAMELS AND A MINIATURE

HORSE RESCUED BY OFFICERS

SUDDENLY STANDING ON THE SIDE OF

AN INTERSTATE AND EVEN POSING

FOR PICTURES.

>> THAT'S DEFINITELY A UNIQUE

SITUATION TO NOT ONLY HAVE TO

DEAL WITH A SEMI FIRE AND OUR

VEHICLE FIRE, BUT YEAH W THOSE

TYPES OF ANIMALS IN THE STATE OF

INDIANA.

>> POLICE BELIEVE AN EQUIPMENT

FAILURE SPARKED THE BLAZE.

IT WAS EXTINGUISHED ACCORDING TO

AUTHORITIES WHO SAID TWO FIRST

RESPONDERS RECEIVED TREATMENT

FOR SMOKE INHALATION AT THE

HOSPITAL BEFORE BEING RELEASED.

>> IT'S AWESOME TO SEE THE TEAM

WORK WHEN THEY GET TOGETHER AND

THEY DO THEIR JOB AND THEY WILL

GO INSIDE OF A TRAILER THAT HAS

SMOKE THAT'S FILLING UP BECAUSE

THE CAB WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED

IN FLAMES.

ONE RESPONDING AGENCY SAID OUR

PUBLIC PROFESSIONAL OF ALL

STRIPES WORKED TOGETHER TO GET

OVER THE HUMP ON THIS JOB, AND

TONIGHT, TRAFFIC IS MOVING AGAIN

>>> THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS

>>> THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS

PAINTING WAS ATTACKED TODAY.

PROTESTERS THREW SOUP AT THE

MONA LISA.

THE MASTERPIECE WAS UNHARMED,

FACING AI DEEP FAKES HAVING TO

DIG DEEP TORE FIND THE TRUTH.

VICKY NGUYEN, NBC NEWS, NEW

YORK.

>> SOUNDED JUST LIKE VIC. KY

♪

♪

♪

♪

>>> THERE'S GOOD NEWS TONIGHT

ABOUT OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND

THE UNIQUE PROGRAM HELPING KIDS

LIVING WITH CANCER CONQUER THEIR

FEARS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS.

>> HIGH FIVE.

THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> AT PLANET ROCK FITNESS IN ANN

ARBOR, MICHIGAN.

>> KEEP GOING, ALMOST HALF WAY.

THESE ID CANS ARE REACHING NEW

HEIGHTS WHILE BUILDING STRENGTH,

COURAGE AND COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH!

>> LET'S GO!

>> THAT'S LIFE CHANGING BECAUSE

THE CHILDREN HERE ARE EITHER

LIVING WITH OR RECOVERING FROM

CANCER.

>> DO IT AGAIN, BUDDY.

A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE BLACK

TRIANGLE.

>> IT'S A FREE PROGRAM CALLED

ROCK CANCER DREAMED UP BY

PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGIST DR. CARL

CASHMAN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF

MICHIGAN.

>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT ROCK

CLIMBING THAT'S MAGIC.

>> YOUR WHOLE BODY, ARMS AND

FEET HAVE TO GO TOOTHGETHER AND

THESE KIDS THAT HAVEN'T DONE IT

BEFORE IT IS A MENTAL LEAP.

>> NICE!

>> IT WAS A PROJECT CREATED WITH

HIS PATIENT VERA JAMES SERVE

YEARS AGO.

>> I'M VERA.

>> TO BUILD STRENGTH FOLLOWING

HER GRUELING TREATMENTS FOR

KIDNEY CANCER.

THIS IS VERA TODAY.

>> NIECE JOB!

>> THANKS.

>> NOW 17 AND CANCER-FREE, SHE'S

ENCOURAGING OTHER YOUNG

WARRIORS.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ROCK

CLIMBING IS GIVING PEOPLE THE

STRENGTH TO KEEP BATTLING THAT

CANCER.

>> COME ON, YOU GOT IT.

>> IT'S SOMETHING DISTRACTING

AND SOMETHING TO FEEL NORMAL.

>> IT'S A GOOD STARTING POINT

JUST TO GET USED TO GETTING UP

THE WALL.

>> IT'S ALSO A SOURCE OF SUPPORT

FOR PATIENTS LIKE REBECCA HODGE.

>> WAS THAT HARD OR TOO EASY?

>> TOO EASY?

WOW.

>> FOR A FEW PRECIOUS HOURS EACH

MONTH HER SON ZACK GETS TO BE A

KID AGAIN.

>> THE DISEASE DOESN'T OWN HIM,

HE OWNS THE DISEASE AND FOR ME I

GET A SENSE OF NORMALCY BACK.

SO --

>> A PLACE WHERE JOY AND

CONFIDENCE ARE REACHED --

>> YOU'VE GOT IT,ELLIS, ONE STEP

AT A TIME.

>> GOOD JOB, DUDE.

WAS THAT FUN?

GIVE ME A FIST BUMP.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY YOU'RE

NOT ALONE AND THAT'S THE MOST

IMPORTANT.

>> YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> AND VERA AND DR. CASHMAN NOW

HOPE TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO

HELP KIDS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" THIS

SUNDAY. I'M KATE SNOW.

I'M KATE SNOW. FORLL OF US A