This cause is important on its own, but it's especially close to my heart because I am a pediatric cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at just 3 years old, and underwent years of life-saving treatment. During this time, my family was also forced to navigate a new, difficult, and often heart-wrenching way of life. The Child Life Department at my hospital helped ease the burdens around us, allowing us to focus on my survival with a little less weighing us down. They brought moments of joy and lightheartedness to a time otherwise consumed by fear and heartache.
So many families already carry stressors and hardships of their own, and a cancer diagnosis on top of that can make a difficult situation feel impossible and hopeless. Child Life Departments are instrumental in reminding families that there is still life to be lived, and joy to be had, even in the hardest moments.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story - and for helping me support a cause that changed my life.
