A Grahamsville beauty queen suffering from a rare genetic disorder is proving that beauty is more than skin-deep.

Brianna Worden has wanted to win a beauty pageant since she was 7 years old. But she was in the throes of battling a life-threatening and rare genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis.

Against all odds - cancer, spinal surgeries and a near arm amputation - she was crowned Miss Teen New York in 2013, gaining the platform she needed to raise awareness for neurofibromatosis.

Worden says when she was crowned Miss Teen New York, she knew she was going to make a change. Since then, Worden has used her crown to inspire other children suffering with illness.

In November, Worden was named the 2020 National Ambassador for the Children's Tumor Foundation at a gala that raised $2.5 million for research, and hopefully someday, a cure.

Worden's message to others is to have hope.