Dana Scatton, 17, is wise beyond her years – and she seems to epitomize perfection.
Dana holds her tiny baby bump last summer, months before
Dana holds her tiny baby bump last summer, months before her brain cancer diagnosis.
(Photo: COURTESY OF THE FAMILY)
She’s beautiful, funny and confident, with incredible faith in God and a smile that shows her strength.
On New Year’s Eve, Dana sits on a bed, wearing black leggings with pink flowers that matched her pedicure. Her parents, Lenore and Robert Scatton, and brother, Josiah Gundry, are in the room, laughing, crying and reflecting with her on the past year.
They look back at last summer.
“In June, Dana found out she was pregnant,” Lenore says. “She had an orthodontist appointment to get braces that …show more content…
“I was shocked when I first found out I was having a baby,” she recalls, “but I was happy. I knew my life would change, I would grow up a little faster … but that gave me more motivation.”
Last fall, Dana started college in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, where she completed one semester before time froze – and her entire world was turned upside down.
Deadly diagnosis
On Dec. 10, at 7.5 months pregnant, Dana was diagnosed with a DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), the most deadly form of brain cancer.
Currently, there is no cure.
I sit with Dana on New Year’s Eve, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and it quickly becomes clear that there is something very special about this young woman.
She lounges in her hospital bed, rubbing her belly, talking to her baby girl and smiling, despite the horrific beast that's quickly taking over her body.
This incredible young girl is facing death without fear, and it’s no surprise that she’s inspiring millions around the world.
Something wasn't right
In November, Dana started noticing some strange symptoms, but everyone assumed they were due to the
Dana holds her tiny baby bump last summer, months before
Dana holds her tiny baby bump last summer, months before her brain cancer diagnosis.
(Photo: COURTESY OF THE FAMILY)
She’s beautiful, funny and confident, with incredible faith in God and a smile that shows her strength.
On New Year’s Eve, Dana sits on a bed, wearing black leggings with pink flowers that matched her pedicure. Her parents, Lenore and Robert Scatton, and brother, Josiah Gundry, are in the room, laughing, crying and reflecting with her on the past year.
They look back at last summer.
“In June, Dana found out she was pregnant,” Lenore says. “She had an orthodontist appointment to get braces that …show more content…
“I was shocked when I first found out I was having a baby,” she recalls, “but I was happy. I knew my life would change, I would grow up a little faster … but that gave me more motivation.”
Last fall, Dana started college in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, where she completed one semester before time froze – and her entire world was turned upside down.
Deadly diagnosis
On Dec. 10, at 7.5 months pregnant, Dana was diagnosed with a DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), the most deadly form of brain cancer.
Currently, there is no cure.
I sit with Dana on New Year’s Eve, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and it quickly becomes clear that there is something very special about this young woman.
She lounges in her hospital bed, rubbing her belly, talking to her baby girl and smiling, despite the horrific beast that's quickly taking over her body.
This incredible young girl is facing death without fear, and it’s no surprise that she’s inspiring millions around the world.
Something wasn't right
In November, Dana started noticing some strange symptoms, but everyone assumed they were due to the