Meet Hannah

Newport Light the Night's 2008 Honored Hero!

Hannah was diagnosed on January 5, 2006 with Acute Lymphoblasctic Leukemia, six weeks before her 3^rd birthday. After her diagnosis she remained in the hospital for a month, having to have a port put into her chest. For the next 2 ½ years she continued to get chemo every day; sometimes by mouth and sometimes by her port. She had shots in her leg, many marrow aspirations and intrathecal chemo. As a result of the intrathecal chemo, which put chemo in her spine and brain, she developed seizures that require daily medication to control. Throughout everything Hannah never complained and always had a beautiful smile on her face.

Hannah is looking forward to starting kindergarten in the fall and making new friends at school. She loves to dance ballet and tap as well as sing and dress up like Hannah Montana. Her best friend is her big sister Cynthia. She is a true hero to everyone that knows her. She is an inspiration that will proudly tell you she fought leukemia like a tiger (followed by a big roar).

Having leukemia has changed out lives forever! We are the lucky ones- Hannah is here and we are truly blessed. My girls learned a tough lesson at a young age; life is not always fair or easy and that bad things do happen – even to children. We will never be the same, but what we have gained is the knowledge that you can never give up. There is always hope.

Thank you for helping us keep hope alive!

Debbie,  Hannah's mom