Something Great

“Maybe I’ll live, or maybe I’ll die. But either way, it was God’s plan for my life. Cancer is part of me. It always will be. It’s made me into who I am. And that’s okay.” “I realize I care a lot of what my family thinks of me. Not because I want to impress them, or other insecurities, but because of my fear of death, I want to leave them with a certain image of me. If this cancer takes my life, I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried of the hole I’ll be leaving. I’m worri

"I’m not done with this cancer yet, or the effects of it. The facial surgery I received to remove the cancer didn’t just leave these scars. I also received some nerve damage. And now every week I have to go through this electroshock therapy just to try to be able to smile again.” I was fortunate to be able to witness this ‘therapy.’ And I knew Hayden wanted me there to document. To show others that a battle with cancer will never fully end. Ironically, the man in the ora

“My Grandma was in the hospital, she just got a knee replacement surgery. It went fine. But I didn’t think that night would end in tears.” “I walked into the hospital for the first time since my surgery. It’s amazing how our minds associate smells, noises, and scenes to specific memories. All at once my mind flooded with images and memories of my surgery. I sat in the hospital room staring at the dripping IV bag, the buttons that control the up and down movement of the bed, t

Following Hayden’s diagnosis, she was fortunate to undergo treatment very quickly. Receiving various treatments such as surgery, radiation and many other methods, she spent at times a whole month in bed recovering.  However, due to the great work of dedicated medical professionals, Hayden’s condition has since then improved. Still not yet declared ‘cured’, she will continue to undergo various testing and treatments. And while that may be the case. Experiencing such an e

"Helping others, helps me.” While I’ve told you what Nicole has done for Hayden and a few others. There’s much more to the story. Nicole has made an everlasting impact on her local community, but it spreads across the country as well. Nicole has… (At the age of 17) . Played a key role in raising over $2 Million for the Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center. . Organized multiple community fundraisers for cancer patients. . Has developed a website that focuses on awareness

“I would walk into the hospital, and ask the nurses if there was someone struggling to financially cover their cancer treatments. That’s when I met, Alia, a 5 year old girl with Leukemia. I immediately felt for this girl. I had to help.” "I worked with her father to organize an event fundraiser. In the past, I’ve organized walk-a-thons to gather the community in effort to inspire them to help someone struggling. So for Alia, I organized a zumbathon. It was probably the most

(3/5, Hayden’s Angel) “As impossible as it seems, I believe that with an education and a will to never give up, we’ll find a cure. But all that matters, is we never gave up.” -Joann Burns Joann, Nicole’s aunt, died of Colon Cancer on July 23, 2011. From the words of many in the community who knew Joann, I had the feeling she was one of the world’s most resilient, selfless individuals. Meeting with Nicole and her family multiple times, I learned of all the wonderful, life

(2/5, Hayden’s Angel) “My parents got divorced when I was pretty young. My mom, brother and I moved into a small trailer with my aunt and uncle. Because of that, from a very young age I’ve been so close to my aunt.” “My brother and I split our time between mom and dad. At my dad’s I played princess while my brother played fireman. We rode horses and played in the dirt. At my mom’s we could spend time with friends. I could be with my cousins and aunt.” “But at the age of 1

“I watched my aunt die. She kept our family together, my best friend, was killed by this terrible disease.” "Cancer knows no boundaries of the lives it can take. It will kill a mother, father, daughter, son, husband, wife, a best friend. This evil disease has made a profound effect on my life, and for that, I’ll do everything I possibly can to fight back.” Throughout Hayden's journey, she has been fortunate to have many 'angels' stand by her. From doctors to nurses, and l

(12/Many) “Sometimes, the worrying thought of being unable to get Hayden her needed treatments haunted us. We’re going to have to sell the house. We’re not going to have a home. We’re not going to survive this.” "But none of that ever happened. And we give endless thanks and love to the community and God that saved our family, and our home.” As said before, it was difficult to judge her father’s emotions during the conversation.  “I specifically remember one event that dem