Show your support for Snapp on Friday

When Whitney Snapp was 22, only one year younger than I am now, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the last three years she has fought cancer and landed in remission, only to be told the illness was back.

Despite exhaustion from chemotherapy and curious stares by her peers at Indiana State University because of hair loss, she pressed through her last years of college successfully with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.

The cancer has spread to her brain now, at the age of 25, and her last option is to undergo exhausting rounds of radiation.

As I sat and thought about what could possibly be going through her mind, I drew a blank. This burden would not only be physically exhausting, but emotionally draining. Not knowing how you'll feel from day to day, or what will happen next.

I realized we often times take things for granted. We go about our lives, always hoping for just a little more. We let the small things get to us, like a flat tire for instance. Too many times we don't realize there is someone out in the world, or our community even, who has something much more difficult to deal with.

I have written stories about children and older adults who suffered from terrifying illnesses, but not someone so close to my own age.

Despite the pain and anxiety, this young lady keeps pushing onward and living her life.

Her aunt told me that Whitney started out angry at the entire situation. Questions like "Why me?" almost consuming her.

Over the past years she has come to terms with the fact she has the illness. It is just a part of who she is.

Always a child of God, she became closer to Him after being diagnosed.

"She has complete faith in God, and knows he will be there for her either way," Whitney's aunt, Jennifer Phegley, told me.

I only wish I could have faith like this strong, determined young woman. She has taken a situation that most people could not even begin to fathom, and turned it into a learning experience. She continues to devote her life to Him by going to church.

To go through such turmoil, and still believe is a feat all it's own.

There have been many speed-bumps in the past few years for Whitney, yet she continues to just roll right past them.

Kudos to this brave young lady.

To support her, the family is having a benefit at Sullivan City Park on Friday from 5-9:30 p.m. Family, friends and supporters are encouraged to attend.

Even if you have never met Whitney, enjoy a fun-filled evening with music, a hog roast and various other activities just to show her you are rooting for her, too.

She deserves to be encouraged, at the very least, to keep up her excellent attitude and keep pushing towards the road to recovery.

Donations are free will, and there will be a silent auction, along with multiple free activities. All donations will go towards Whitney's medical bills.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com .