The Waves of Life: Going Against the Tide

Growing up, knowing there was a possibility that she would inherit her family's rare, genetic disease, Alyssa was still caught by surprise by her diagnosis when she was 14. Alyssa was diagnosed with Gardner's Syndrome shortly before starting her freshman year of high school. Her family's goal was to have her graduate from high school before needing a major surgery that would prevent colon cancer. Since 2006 Alyssa's disease has been in remission.

Gardner's Syndrome may be in her genes, but A...