MERCER COUNTY, Ky. — An 11-year-old girl in Mercer county is battling brain cancer. Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana has made it possible to grant her wish of becoming a published author.

The young girl is sharing how sadness inspired growth and joy as a published author. 

The Morgans never thought they’d have to navigate through life with a daughter battling an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma. Gwyn Morgan is an 11-year-old living in Salvisa, Kentucky with her family, fighting the good fight one day at a time.

She’s always on the move because she’s always had the goal of being a published author.

Now, she no longer has to wish because Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana has granted the wish of publishing Gwyn’s book to the public.

“In November 2020, Gwyn started out of the blue just exhibiting flu-like symptoms and so I didn’t think it was more than that. By the next day, we knew we needed to take her in,” said Heather Morgan.

(Left to Right) Gwyn Morgan the author of 'Drippy: The Tale of the Sad Rain Cloud', her cousin Gina McColl read together before her book debut. (Spectrum News 1/Diamond Palmer)

That’s when Gwyn was diagnosed with glioblastoma. They spent holidays and birthdays back and forth in hospitals and emergency rooms. 38-year-old Heather and her husband Zach knew this type of brain cancer was aggressive and it would affect Gwyn’s ability to speak and think forever. 

“We have a dark road ahead of us and we’ve been through some heavy stuff already and all through that so far there’s been a lot of things to be thankful for,” said Zach Morgan.

Gwyn’s book, Drippy: The Tale of the Sad Rain Cloud is a story about how sadness can trigger joy and growth. Sadness, joy and growth are just some things Gwyn has faced through her battle with brain cancer for nearly two years.

She’s gone through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but the Morgans are focusing on Gwyn’s quality of life. The 11-year-old remembers being read books by her dad, mom and sisters while growing up, so this moment is one that’s full circle.

Because of that, Gwyn dedicated the book to her sisters, Lorraine and Marian Morgan.

“It’s exciting, and it brings a lot of pride,” said Gwyn Morgan. 

With the help of Gwyn’s cousin Gina McColl, her book came to life with pages full of illustrations. McColl says she focused on the illustrations so they looked exactly like Gwyn’s sketches.

“During this process I wanted to stay true to Gwyn’s vision and the way that she wanted to have drippy be presented,” said McColl.

Heather Morgan taught at Shelby County schools for several years before using her talents at home to teach her three children. She knew Gwyn struggled with writing but helped, guided her through writing the book. 

Gwyn Morgan is greeted by community members at her book signing at Poor Richard’s Books in Frankfort. (Make-A-Wish)

“You don’t always know you can do something until you do it. So it’s been really fun to see her stick with it and see it through and work with other people in the editing, revising process and really stay true to her idea,” said Heather Morgan.

Heather says none of it would be possible without family, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, and her faith. 

“I don’t think there’s really a way to do it apart from our faith,” said Heather Morgan.

The Morgans will continue to rely on their faith, family members Annie McCall, Denise Bush and not worrying about the what ifs.

Gwyn held a book signing in Frankfort this weekend at Poor Richard’s Books in Frankfort. She has asked all proceeds of the book sales to be given to the make a wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana to help children battling critical illnesses.

If you’d like to order Gwyn’s book, click here.