Malvern Preparatory School issued the following announcement on Jan. 26.
The Malvern Community welcomed Lily Walker to campus who shared her brave and inspiring battle with brain cancer.
The Malvern Community was fortunate to welcome Lily Walker to campus this morning. Lily spoke to the student body following Weekly Mass, sharing her brave and inspiring battle with brain cancer.
Diagnosed at age 14 with brain cancer, Lily is currently a junior at Haverford High School and continues to fight with an inoperable brain tumor. Her family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers in Havertown join her in this fight with support in the form of lawn signs and by displaying green porch lights. They join her with prayers of healing on Zoom calls every few months and daily at 11:15 a.m. (November 15 is Lily’s birthday). Many people pray the Bill Atkinson Prayer for Lily’s miracle. Fr. Atkinson was a paraplegic that led an amazing life despite the challenges he faced. He is in the process of being canonized a Saint, this process involves miracles attributed to his intercession. Lily, her family, friends, and others touched by her story continue to hope and pray that she will be Fr. Atkinson’s miracle.
Lily’s family shares ties to the Malvern Community and Fr. Bill Atkinson. Lily’s grandfather was a childhood friend of Fr. Atkinson, her parents met at Villanova and their wedding took place at the Chapel at Villanova, presided over by Fr. Donald Reilly.
“I am hoping that by sharing my story and my devotion to prayer, people like you will become closer to God and appreciate His blessings,” Lily shared.
Lily’s inspiring meeting with Malvern students included lessons she has learned from her three-year battle with cancer. She shared that her faith in God has become stronger, while she is going through something so difficult, she knows that God is with her. “Prayers have so much power and meaning,” said Lily.
She encouraged students to remember one of her favorite quotes: “Be kind to everyone, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” While not appearing sick, Lily shared that the brain tumor causes her short-term memory loss. “Just be kind,” she shared. Last, she urged the students, “please be grateful for your talents…use your talents and have fun, I would give anything to be using mine right now.”
Lily displayed amazing poise and grace while speaking with Malvern students. It was obvious to all in attendance that she remains positive and hopeful. “I could have chosen to be sad or mad or difficult, I could complain but why? How are those choices going to make any of this better? So I choose to be positive, to be faithful, and be hopeful. This is where I find my strength,” she shared.
Following her talk, the entire Malvern Community prayed the Fr. Bill Atkinson Prayer together for Lily’s healing.
Malvern expresses its gratitude to Lily and her parents Megan and Matthew for joining our community today and sharing their story. Learn more about Lily’s story here.
Original source can be found here.
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