In October 2022, Hazel (middle sister - in the plaid) who had been dealing with leg pain for months without any answers, was rushed to the ER after experiencing chest pain and diagnosed with leukemia (B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia to be exact). She got a port placed the next day and immediately started a 2.5 year treatment plan of chemotherapy. She finished treatment February 14, 2025!

To say the diagnosis was jolting is an understatement. Everything changed. We had great family and friends that helped along the way, but it was hard to make the adjustments of our everyday life when so much of it revolved around frequent hospitalizations, clinic visits, and having to avoid visitors, crowds, and other activities to keep Hazel safe because of her immunocompromised state.

Over time, we started to get connected to other awesome foundations in Utah and other locations that offer various types of support for pediatric cancer families. But we wish it would have been sooner as we could have really could have benefited from those resources upfront. We also tried to go to some events for pediatric cancer families, but the events often felt like a far distant future, and sometimes we couldn't go because it wasn't safe. It felt very lonely.

Our mom asked if other families were feeling the same way and many said yes! Also, some of the social workers at the hospital expressed that they would like to help more, but that they were very busy with helping patient families with the necessities of cancer treatment (usually financial). They said they didn't really even have time to consider focusing on anything besides that. We expressed that we wanted to fill in some of the gaps where the hospital and other organizations needed some help so we could keep families more supported and connected through small and consistent opportunities to get together. 

So, that's exactly what the foundation is doing!

Our mom, with the help of some other amazing ladies, helped start a family support group in Davis County, and another one launched in Draper in January. Utah County will be next. We have been able to hang out and do activities with friends we met through the pediatric cancer world when we go! Our parents get to talk with other parents. It helps a lot.

We also offer wellness gatherings featuring yoga, sound bath, and breathwork. We provide practical and meaningful support items to our participating families and to the oncology department at Primary Children’s Hospital. We are working on an amazing new project to help each member of the family document their journey in a meaningful and impactful way. Stay tuned for much more!