Denise

When Denise was just 6 years old and ready to start first grade, a trip to the doctor brought the most devastating news a parent could hear: their little girl had a tumor growing in her head. The walnut-sized tumor had already done major damage -- Denise was blind in one eye. But leaving the tumor in her brain was not an option. So surgeons removed as much of it as possible. Unfortunately, the doctors weren't able to get it all and three months later, the remaining tumor had doubled in size.

A second surgery, the day before Thanksgiving, was also only a partial success and parts of the tumor remained. "For the next year, we watched as the tumor began to grow again," recalls Denise's mom, Cheryl. "The doctors began a series of new treatments that lasted through the entire holiday season and into the new year. Finally, the tumor stopped growing." In fact, it gradually started to shrink and we're all hoping that her MRI scans will remain clear.

Although Denise, now 13, will still face medical challenges for the rest of her life, her spirit and spunk are truly amazing. She loves art, swimming and yoga. But more importantly, she's excited about finally becoming a teenager.