Student Who Beat Cancer Three Times And Had Multiple Surgeries Graduates University

Credit: WISC

After miraculously surviving cancer three times, a college senior from Wisconsin is enjoying her graduation.

At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater commencement, Hollyn Peterson will deliver a motivational speech in which she aims to encourage those in attendance to never give up.

Peterson underwent years of chemotherapy and significant surgery after receiving a tragic cancer diagnosis at the age of five.

Credit: WISC

After fading, the cancer returned with a vengeance a short time later.

"I relapsed, and it came back when I was seven, and then unfortunately, it came back a third time," she said.

Early on in life, Hollyn learned how to be strong and persistent, which subsequently helped her to persevere with her studies.

Credit: WISC

"I missed over 650 days of school, so, when I was going back, I just had no clue what was going on," she said.

Due to the encouragement of her high school art teacher, Hollyn pursued art as her love despite falling behind in her grades as a result of frequent therapy and surgery.

"'You're going to go to college and you're going to go to art school, and you're going to become an art teacher,'" Peterson recalled. "I was like, 'No, I'm not.'"

Peterson continued, saying that painting had given her new life: "I think, as a freshman here, I was very much like, 'I want it to be pretty. I want it to look nice,' and as the years went on, it was more about the emotion that I was getting,"

"It gives me catharsis when I'm painting."

Greg Porcaro, an associate professor of art and design at UW-Whitewater, assisted her in completing her undergraduate coursework and moving toward graduation.

Porcaro said: "I'm incredibly proud of her and she was an exceptional student, both academically and also as a human being," adding: "She's very genuine, kind, a grounded, humble young woman, and I can attribute that to the struggles that she had at an early age. Her resiliency is amazing."

Hollyn Peterson wants to share a very important message with her fellow seniors as graduation draws nearer so they can learn how to be appreciative of the life they have.

Hollyn gave a brief preview of her speech, saying: "You were able to accomplish this, and you're here at graduation, and look at what you have done,"

"And there's so much more that you're going to do and that you can do."

Hollyn intends to pursue her education at Syracuse University in New York after she graduates. She aspires to receive a master's in fine arts.