Personal trials and tribulations can bring out the best in people. For Clarkston High School senior Laura ‘Lu? Kuhta, her battle with cancer did just that.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently selected Kuhta, 17, to serve as an ambassador at its 25th anniversary in California the week of Oct. 3.
‘I was shocked. I think they chose me because I was giving back to charity through a bike ride event. I guess I expected myself to do something. I was surprised they were surprised that I was doing something. I’m honored,? said Kuhta upon hearing of her selection.
‘Laura personifies the hope, strength and joy that we celebrate every day,? said Make-A-Wish Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer David Williams in a press release. ‘She and her life-affirming story are an inspiration to all children confronting life-threatening medical conditions.?
Kuhta was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in the summer before her eighth grade year in 2001. What followed was a nearly eight month battle with the disease through chemotherapy and leg surgery that removed her from school. The treatment was followed by a lot of grueling physical therapy which temporarily interrupted what had been a very active childhood.
‘Towards the beginning, it was tough to keep smiling, but after awhile you say ‘I’ve got to get through this,?? said Kuhta.
‘I’ve been cancer free for three and a half years and after five years I’ll be completely in the clear, everything’s gone really well,? said Kuhta.
While working to rid her body of cancer, Make-A-Wish approached Kuhta about taking a trip through the organization.
‘Patients told me about what they’d done. Make-A-Wish contacted me and told me what it was about and asked if I was interested,? said Kuhta. ‘It took forever to decide where to go. I wanted to do it when I was healthy so we went last Christmas.?
Kuhta and her family journeyed to Australia near the end of 2004 exploring places like the Great Barrier Reef, the Kuranda Scenic Railway and rain forest.
‘When I was in the hospital, it gave me something to look forward to. It was the light at the end of the tunnel? It gave me a really good feeling. It was nice that strangers would do something so nice for me,? said Kuhta.
Completing the trip and fighting her illness made Kuhta want to give back.
‘In the summer of 2004, my older sister and I got a brochure from Make-A-Wish and wanted to give back,? said Kuhta.
In 2004, as part of the her desire to help others finding themselves in similar difficult situations, Kuhta participated in a Make-A-Wish event that called for people to ride bicycles from Cheboygan to Milford over three days. The trip was approximately 300 miles and had about 500 total riders, said Kuhta.
‘It was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done,? said Kuhta, who also participated in the ride this year.
Kuhta plans to continue to help the foundation. According to the press release, she will be a featured guest during celebrations with Disney characters, share birthday cake with the ‘Official Wish Granter? ? the Genie from Aladdin ? be part of the 50,000th Disney theme park wish granted, ride in a Disneyland parade and other events.
Kuhta’s recovery is all the more impressive considering her successful high school career which includes membership in the National Honor Society and three seasons on the Varsity girls golf team. Kuhta is now currently trying to decide which college to attend. She narrowed her choices to Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and DePaul University.
Kuhta credited her family and friends with helping her throughout her illness. Her parents are Joe and Kathy Kuhta. She also has three sisters: Teresa, 20; Mo, 19; and Elle, 16.
Kuhta offered the following advice for anyone who finds themselves in a situation like hers.
‘Keep going. It could always be worse. Just always smile.?