Danya, 17, embraces the power of hope.

After a diagnosis at age 15 of leukemia, she went through months of treatment, only to have it followed with a worldwide pandemic. 

Yet, through everything, she had hope. 

“I had been going through a lot of pain and strange symptoms but nobody knew what it was,” she said of her initial diagnosis. “Finally, we went to the hospital and they did a blood test and told me I had leukemia.”

After her diagnosis, Danya had her good days and her bad days but she always looked for the joy in everything. 

“When people don’t know what to do, that’s when you need something in your life to look forward to, to be happy about,” said Danya. “I hope this book helps other people understand how to look for and find joy during difficult times.”

Danya knew that writing this book would be her only wish. Make-A-Wish Arizona helped her to do some things with the book that even she never considered.

“I knew it would be a lot of work, but my editors were a big help,” said Danya. “I have never edited my thoughts before but I liked it. It made the story better.”

Danya worked with Leslie Gospill on her storytelling;  Dr. James Blasingame, an ASU professor, on her editing; illustrator Tyson Powless to help craft the cover of her book; and professional photographer Mark Skalny to shoot the perfect author photo for the back cover. 

“When kids or anyone is going through what I went through, treatments and surgeries and things, it’s good to walk the path of hope and to be brave,” said Danya. “I hope this book helps people not have fear when they are going through something scary and to know that Walking by Hope can help.”

To purchase Danya's book, visit Amazon at http://ow.ly/TbFo50FLt8e