Danielle

Danielle was thirteen and on the school volleyball team when her knee began to hurt.  She did not think much of it, but the pain persisted until she could not walk.  After months of tests and countless doctor visits she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in her right hip.  She began chemotherapy and had several surgeries in an attempt to save her leg as well as her life.  Unfortunately, her leg was amputated in September of 1998 at the hip.  They told her she would never walk again, but she surprised everyone by walking with a prosthetic leg and skiing as frequently as possible.  She finished chemo in January 1999 and remained in remission for two and a half years.

Danielle went on to become an active teenager.  She attended Northglenn High School, and became very active in her youth group at Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Her cancer returned in June 2001 in her chest and in April 2002 the cancer returned to her pelvis and lower back.  She was given a few short months to live.  While most of us would be devastated by this news, Danielle simply continued to do all the things she loved.  She had also made an important decision to serve God as a nun.  She graduated from Northglenn High School in May 2003, and lost her battle to cancer two short months later on July 30, 2003.

Danielle began an organization called Hearts in Action in 2000, which continues to provide gifts to kids undergoing cancer treatment.  Although she lost her battle, Danielle never saw cancer as a bad thing.  Danielle believed that with God all things are possible, and with your help in this battle, they can be.