Inspirational teen loses cancer battle

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) - Teenager Tara Penton, who went to the London Olympics with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, died this week from her battle with soft tissue cancer.

Penton's father Mark shared the news with KXAN News because so many people were touched by Tara's story. her visitation is on Wednesday at Harrell Funeral Home in Dripping Springs, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Her funeral will be on Thursday at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church at 11 a.m.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been making dreams come true for youngsters with life threatening illnesses since 1980. Tara, who was 17, was diagnosed three years ago with soft-tissue cancer. A short time later, she was contacted by Make-A-Wish Foundation. It took her some time to choose.

"I didn't want a trip to Disney World or anything like that," Penton said at the time.

Then Tara realized she's a natural athlete and soccer fan. "I had to watch World Cup to finally realize I wanted to go," said in the interview last year. "It's a lousy situation to be in but at least some good comes of it. I'm going to be so pumped. I'll be sporting fan paint all over my face and screaming."