On the heels of celebration, just following her 16th birthday on August 11, 2003, Gwynora “Nora” Hemphill was diagnosed with liver cancer. Despite her trials with chemotherapy, multiple surgeries and the weight and hair loss that came with the cancer treatments, Hemphill, a student at George Mason High School at the time, impressively retained a positive attitude. Instead of focusing on herself and falling victim to pity, Hemphill turned her concentration outward to her community, helping others in need until she passed away in May of 2006.
