August 24th, 2006, my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 Multiple Myeloma, my mom was pregnant with me. For 4 and ½ years my dad fought for his life. During that time he was in remission for 2 years before the cancer came back. Unfortunately this time it was terminal. March 26, 2011, my dad took his last breath surrounded by family. He was only 39 years old, and I was only 4 years old. Though at the time I couldn’t completely grasp the situation, I knew deep down I would never see my dad again. If you asked anyone who knew my dad what he was like, I promise you they all would tell you he was funny, sarcastic, nice, a good friend, and just an amazing person to know. My dad, also known as Keith Hansen, has always been my inspiration, my idol, and my hero. Cancer took him away from me and my family way too soon. I only got to know my dad when he was sick but yet he was still the best dad I could ever imagine. Growing up I watched as my friends went up to their dads after sports games, big events, or just after school and wondered, why did my dad die? I remember watching videos of soldiers coming home to their families and praying that one day my dad would walk through my front door and everything would be okay again. I knew this wouldn’t happen but the hope helped me cope. One of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with is that I have very little memory of him that isn’t through stories. The two memories I have are, one on New Year's Eve. My dad was in the hospital and after my family and I celebrated I told my mom we couldn’t clean up the confetti until dad was home so he could celebrate too. When he came home, we gave him the confetti packet we had saved and he opened it to celebrate with us. The other memory I have of him was at his funeral. I remember going up to his casket and touching his nose. All I remember is asking my mom “why is he so cold?” That was the last time I saw my dad. Growing up knowing one of your parents will never hug you again, tell you they're proud of you, or even see you in person is something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. Cancer doesn’t care how old you are, it doesn’t care if you have a family, and it doesn’t care if you’re an amazing person. We need to fight cancer and stop it from dulling the light in this world.

Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibility.
They challenge the status quo—and make the impossible possible.
They boldly imagine a better world – and lead the charge to create it.

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on that same vision - of a better world - one without blood cancers.

 

I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help.

 

This year, I’m proud to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, working to raise as much as possible for LLS’s mission.

 

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients
• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

Please consider joining this fight by making a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Please visit my website often and tell friends who would also like to donate!

 

Thanks to your support, my efforts will help ensure this generation is the last to see cancer.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you!

 

For more information about LLS, please visit www.lls.org.