College is often seen as a season of freedom and opportunity. For Daniela McDonald, that opportunity was wrapped up in volleyball. As a Division I athlete at NC State, her world revolved around the game she loved. But everything changed in an instant. At 22 weeks pregnant, Daniela faced a life-altering decision. The doctor told her she was too far along to get an abortion in North Carolina, but slipped her a sticky note with an abortion hotline number. The message was clear: if you want out, here is your escape.
Fear rushed in. Would she lose her spot on the team? Her scholarship? Her future? The world’s solution was abortion. But God was whispering something different.
A Friend’s Voice and a Father’s Tears
Instead of calling the number on the note, Daniela called a friend. That conversation became the turning point. Her friend told her plainly: “You are going to keep this baby because this is what God has called you to do.” Those words gave her the courage she needed to take the next step.
Soon after, Daniela told her mom. Overwhelmed, she broke down in tears. When her dad found out, he surprised her with tears of his own. They were tears of joy. Instead of disappointment, he was excited to be a grandfather.
When she finally told her coach, she braced for rejection, but his response was nothing like she imagined. He encouraged her and promised they would find a way to make it work. His message was simple: focus on your child, we will figure out the rest. In every place where Daniela expected loss, God provided love.
The Courage to Say Yes
Deep down, Daniela knew abortion would not only end her child’s life but wound her own. “I just knew abortion was going to hurt me as well, not just the baby,” she recalls. With that conviction, she made the courageous decision to say yes to life even if it cost her scholarship, her team, or her dreams.
A Gift Named Shea
When her daughter was born, Daniela gave her the name Shea, which means gift. It was her way of declaring what God had shown her all along: every child is a gift, no matter the circumstances. “When I first saw Shea, it was a surreal moment. Oh my goodness, there is a baby, and I am now responsible for this. But also, this is God’s creation. This is God’s plan.”
Life has not been easy. Daniela is honest that motherhood brings challenges. But she has no regrets. Shea’s life is living proof that God’s ways are higher and His gifts are always good.
A Generation at the Crossroads
Daniela’s story is one of many. Every day, young people are confronted with the same pressures: fear, uncertainty, and cultural voices that say abortion is the only way forward. That is why Youth for Life exists. On Saturday, September 13, youth across the nation will gather at abortion centers in their cities to pray, worship, and proclaim the truth that every child is a gift from God.
These prayer walks are not about politics or protest. They are about lifting high the name of Jesus, standing in unity, and creating a culture of LOVE and LIFE. They remind young people that they are not alone and that courage changes everything.
Your Invitation
Daniela’s yes to God gave the world a little girl named Shea. Her story is a powerful reminder that the decision of one young woman changed countless lives around her. What could your yes mean?
On September 13, will you join us? Bring your family, your church, and your friends. Stand with thousands of young people across America who are saying yes to God’s call to protect the most vulnerable and to celebrate His gift of life.
👉 Learn more and join a Youth For Life prayer walk in your city at lovelife.org/youthforlife
Because every child is a gift. Every life is worth it. And this generation is rising up.