Broomall’s Leanne Purcell, the recipient of a lifesaving liver transplant last year, is today studying at Villanova to become a nurse with the help of a Jessie’s Day Give the Gift of Scholarship, writes Anne Neborak for the Daily Times.

Purcell, who lost her mother to breast cancer, was first prompted into becoming a nurse after seeing the care they gave to her mother. And her treatment at DuPont Hospital solidified her decision.

“The nurses helped ease my pain and took my mind off of things,” she said. “The scholarship is such an honor to be able to do what I want and to pursue my dream of nursing.”

Jessie’s Day has been helping organ transplant recipients attend college for 14 years, awarding more than $100,000 to 45 local high school graduates.

Purcell will be speaking about her liver transplant experience at the Give the Gift of Scholarship event on Sept. 25 at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia.

Read more about Purcell and her future plans in the Daily Times by clicking here.