Darian Sanchez, 15

Why nominated

“Darian is one of the greatest kids I know,” wrote Darian's grandmother Jonnie Dunn. “When she was 4, she would volunteer to help the children at the Breakfast with Santa at Memorial Hospital, and did that for three years. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer she took it upon herself to be my caregiver. At age 7 she cleaned my incisions and drained my tubes, something most kids would never do. She helped me to heal, and after 8 years I am in remission, and she was always there encouraging and helping me. She helped my daughter with the care of my mother (now 94) and when she has spare time she watches her two sisters. On weekends when most children are enjoying themselves she helps her parents deliver newspapers early in the morning, and on some weekends helps her dad paint or work on cars. She’s a special girl with a heart of gold and one I know will always be there for me.”

Q&A

Does your grandma still need your help, even though her cancer is in remission?

“She has a four-story house, so I help her clean that. But other than that, she’s doing pretty good.”

What are some things you did to help her while she was really sick?

“When she got her surgery and she was just really sore, she couldn’t move the midpart of her body, and she had bandages to change, So I had to help her change all that, and I had to drain the drainage tubes, and I had to help her cook and get into bed because she was on pain medicine, so she was a little loopy.”

Do you volunteer anywhere currently?

“I actually volunteer at the (Children’s) Literacy Center. I help grade-school kids learn how to read, and I help them with literacy and spelling, and I do it twice a week.”

What inspires you to help other people?

“Well if I were in their positions or in their shoes, I would want somebody to help me. And when I was little I had to have a tutor, so it’s giving me a chance to give back.”

Is there a particular charity or cause that especially touches you?

“The soup kitchen.” (Darian said she’s helped out at the soup kitchen and plans to do it again.)

What are your plans for after high school?

“I plan to go to Chicago and study art for a while, and then maybe go to law school.”

Why Chicago?

“I guess it just sort of inspires me.”

What do you do for fun?

“For fun, I like swimming; I’m on the swim team at Doherty High School. I like art, listening to music, and hanging out with family and friends. Big family get-togethers.”

Siblings

Two sisters: Devyn, 9, and Danica, 4.

Parents

Dona and James