18-year-old Darby Walker was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastomic leukemia. She spent many days in the hospital bed trying to be positive despite her condition.
"I originally decided to go to Turks and Caicos. I spent literally months researching it in the hospital. It was a really good thing to take my mind off of treatment," Walker said.
While most kids wish to go on their dream vacation to Disney World or meeting their favorite celebrities, Darby wished to pursue her education at Michigan State University.
She said it was a hard decision,but college seemed like the most sensible thing to choose. With a degree, she figured she could take as many vacations as she wants.
The Make- A- Wish Foundation Michigan is making that happen giving Darby $6,000 to help her foot the bill.
"Asking for tuition assistance is a unique wish for us. Over the past 10 years, Darby will be our 8th request for that," Karen Davis said. Davis is the President for the foundation.
Darby is cancer free now and will be attending Michigan State University next week.
"What you see is somebody who we want at Michigan state. Someone who is passionate, smart, and has that resiliency we need in society today to overcome all of the things we have around us. In her case it was cancer. That skill applies to lots of life lessons," Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon said.
After years of being treated, comforted and encouraged by nurses, Darby said she plans to study nursing so she can pass it on.
