15 Year-Old Wichita Falls Girl Battling Cancer Inspires Zundy Jr. High Students

Since then she's been battling the disease, and a long the way inspiring many.

Last week in honor of Shaw Zundy Junior High started "Pasta for Pennies," a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

15 year old Ashtyn Shaw is in a familiar place, paying a visit to her old school, Zundy Jr. High.

But she's coming with a message.

"I wanted you'll to know that having cancer is hard. Just like any bad situation bad home life, or something like that. But the way that you look at it really effects the way the situation goes," she said.

For more than a week, students at Zundy have collected funds for "Pasta for Pennies."

A campaign benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, helping people like Ashtyn and her family.

Coordinators say it's because of Ashtyn they've been able to reach their fund raising goal.

"It had a purpose. because I know somebody who is 15 which is the age of a lot of these kids 14, 15, and it became very personal, and I wanted kids to know that this does happen to children," said Roberta Graham, Zundy Jr. High's Nurse.

"One of the waitresses came up to me and told me she liked my hair cut," said Ashtyn.

She visited classrooms explaining how humor has kept her spirits up.

She also explained that the reason she wears a mask is to protect herself from other diseases.

Then, she answered questions.

It's a role she wouldn't have imagined herself in, after first being diagnosed.

"I figured I would have support and everything but I never thought I would be here talking to classes and everything and they are all looking up to me in awe," she said.

Encouraging words to help these students to stay strong as they face the challenges of life.

In December Ashtyn had a scan which indicated her tumors were shrinking and the cancer dead.

She said she'll have another scan in March, and if the test shows the tumors are even smaller she will be considered in remission.