The 2022 Murph Challenge Day 12: Aria Turner
We know stories of fictional superheroes, but today we are going to share a real life one who encompasses strength, faith, and perseverance. She just happens to be 8 years old…
Just over two years ago, today’s fighter was a fun loving kindergartner. In January of 2020, she came down with what her mom thought was the flu. After several weeks she was still exhibiting symptoms of excessive exhaustion and would sleep 12-14 hours at night and then would fall asleep at school. By mid-March, she was losing weight rapidly and suffering from migraines and eye pain.
After multiple appointments and tests, Aria was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in March 2020. The MRI revealed a large mass right above her pituitary gland. She underwent multiple surgeries, chemo rounds, and radiation at Mayo.
Her mom, Jessica, recalls, “after one of her surgeries, the doctors weren’t sure if she would regain vision in one eye, but she did! Aria stunned doctors by getting up and walking within an hour of each of her brain surgeries!”
Jessica finds inspiration in her daughter in more ways than one, “Aria inspires me every day to have more faith. She has never questioned or wavered that God would heal her. There was a very rough day in that hospital after surgery that she was struggling to even get out of bed or stay awake, and she said God told her to get up because she was going home. So she got up!”
Aria has withstood so much pain and adversity, but she continues to fight each day. Her tumor has now shrunk to the size of a pea.
She has defied all the odds and is a survivor!
Every Day We Fight is honored, amazed, and grateful to dedicate Day 12 of 32 to an extraordinary warrior and superhero, Aria Turner.
Thank you friend and nominator, Larry, for joining us for a Team Murph: 25:29.
When I did the Murph Challenge for the first time I became hooked. Not because it was fun but because it was painful, challenging, and meaningful.
These 31 challenges are a dedication to a fighter, a warrior, a person battling that’s an everyday hero.
– Tate Wheeler
“The Murph Challenge is more than just a workout. It is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and allows us the opportunity to dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor, LT. Michael P. Murphy, a man who sacrificed everything he had for our freedom.”
-Murph Website