A young Long Island girl who has beaten cancer is on a mission to help other children facing similar battles.

Heather McNamara, 12, helped raise more than $8,000 at an Islip Terrance fundraiser on Sunday for a young Huntington girl who has a life-threatening medical condition.

McNamara herself underwent groundbreaking surgery when she was just 4 years old. Doctors performed a risky, 23-hour surgery to remove an orange-sized tumor that was wrapped around her main arteries in her chest.

"She was sick. They gave me no hope," recalls McNamara's mother, Tina. "They told me, 'Take your daughter home, make her comfortable.' So I believe in miracles."

McNamara's own miracle story has inspired her to try to help other children. "I'm happy about what happened to me in the past because now I can help others and give back," she says.

Sunday's fundraiser included a petting zoo, live music, a Chinese auction, vendors and more than 200 cars that were put on display. McNamara was also presented with a check good for one wish from the Make-a-Wish foundation to give to the sick Huntington girl.

All of the money raised will help the girl fulfill her wish of going to Disney. She was too ill to make it to Sunday's event.

McNamara plans on raising more money and participating in the Walk for Wishes event at Dowling College in Brookhaven next month.