DIAMOND OF HOPE: Fighting Irish softball fan fights cancer curveball, dreams of playing for Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Born into an Irish Catholic family in the southwest Chicago suburb of Channahon, 16-year-old Brea Murphy was a Notre Dame fan from the start.

Murphy dreams of one day attending the university and playing college softball like some of her heroes.

However, a year ago, life threw her the ultimate curveball, putting in jeopardy not only her collegiate aspirations, but more importantly, playing the sport she fell in love with as a child.

Murphy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.

This is a story of heartache, healing, and a diamond of hope.