Born and raised in a small town in Minnesota, Shanna Decker
grew far beyond her years at the age of seven with the three words, "You
have cancer." After spending much time in the hospital for chemotherapy,
undergoing an amputation-like procedure called rotationplasty on her left leg,
and the rehab that came with learning to be active again as a child, she
returned home with her family. It was at this point that Shanna discovered
something different within her spirit.
After seeing such sorrow walking through serious illness and
its realities, Shanna and her family knew they could not return to a life far
from cancer and its perspective. Almost immediately, they began devoting their
time to visiting cancer patients and amputees of all ages at the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, Minnesota. With each visit, a greater depth of passion was stirred
within Shanna.
In just over a decade, Shanna has made upwards of nine
hundred personal patient visits providing hope to families and children from
around the world. Because of her great love for others, she has been recognized
with nine national awards for her volunteerism, and is the founder of her own
project called "Hearts of Hope". Most recently, she has given her
heart to working closely with Brighter Tomorrows, a non-profit organization
benefitting families touched by childhood cancer, where her mother serves as
vice president.
Now twenty one years old and a recent college graduate,
Shanna has grown into a prominent sought after professional speaker. "Her
passion to see life through eyes the world longs for leaves listeners
awe-struck with renewed hope for each day," an audience member recently
said. What she lives each day becomes who she is. Her passion cannot be
silenced as she steps onto stages or into hospital rooms, still to this day.
"Love one another deeply," is the motto adopted by
this ever smiling dreamer. "Why," many wonder, "does she return
to places where sorrow is so real?"
"Because it is proven over and over again when light
shines in a dark place that hope is alive. We live in a world longing for
someone to take the time to love deeply enough to be that hope. With the love I
have seen in these dark places, I cannot diminish the hope that comes with a
smile reminding me that love wins. I live, because love has brought hope to me.
I live, and love, because love wins."
- Shanna Decker
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