December 31, 1998
Web posted at: 4:26 p.m. EST (2126 GMT)

CHICAGO (CNN) -- At age 12, Delenna Williams has experienced more pain and loss than most people see in a lifetime. But her determination is strong and, when it comes to helping others, she's the one to call.

The Chicago girl has had about 10 operations to unweb fingers that were fused together in an apartment fire when she was just 1 year old. Her mother died in the blaze and her father was killed a year later by gang members who wanted his Chicago Bulls jacket.

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When she was 6, Delenna and other family members were attacked by drug dealers who mistook them for rivals. She was shot four times, one bullet is still lodged near her heart.

Although scarred physically, Delenna has not let hard times harden her. See her amazing story in this report from Robin Robinson of CNN affiliate WFLD.