Our vision is that all families
affected by childhood cancer
will experience a community
of hope, joy, and love.
Dear friend of The Goodtimes Project,
My life changed on January 23, 2014. Four words: Hanna, you have leukemia. After months of feeling lethargic and constantly getting colds, my parents took me to the doctor, which rolled into getting bloodwork done, being sent to the ER at Mary Bridge, and finally having a bone marrow biopsy. Thankfully, after two and a half years filled with over 100 chemotherapies, 36 blood transfusions, and more needle pokes than you can imagine, I went into remission.
I had heard about Camp Goodtimes for a while before my oncologist finally gave the approval for me to attend in 2015. I remember feeling terrified, but once I arrived, I was greeted by the most hyped staff I ever met, and I knew I was going to have such a fun week.
Until I attended camp, I struggled to be open and honest with my feelings about cancer. It was hard to relate to my friends and peers at home, but at camp I finally felt comfortable sharing how I felt. I felt mad that children got cancer; I felt sad that I couldn’t live a normal life; I felt proud of my bravery; I felt guilty for surviving while others didn’t. Finally, I could express these emotions with my cabinmates. This opportunity for emotional bonding along with the fun camp activities like arts and crafts, archery, and campfires make Camp Goodtimes the best week of the year.
The Goodtimes Project helped me become proud and outspoken about my diagnosis. Having the chance to meet other kids and teens who had similar experiences opened a new perspective on how I could use my cancer experience for the better. I was inspired to start speaking at hospital events, build a network with other patients at the clinic, and I tried my best to be an advocate for myself and other childhood cancer patients. Little did I know I would soon become a patient again.
I was healthy, happy, and cancer free for three years until my bloodwork plummeted at a routine follow-up appointment and my doctor believed I had relapsed. The next day, a biopsy showed that I actually had a secondary type of leukemia; one that was a side effect of my previous treatment seen in less than 1% of patients and typically only in those older than 60. In a few weeks I had my senior prom, in a month I was going to graduate high school with my AA, in three months I would move out to start my college life at the University of Washington. I knew none of this would happen. When I asked the doctors what my prognosis was, they immediately said, “you have about a 30% chance of living.” I stood up and walked out of the room. Would I make it to 19? Would I go to college? Would I ever have a family of my own?
Over the next few months, I had more chemo, more blood transfusions, and more needle pokes. Finally, my cancer dropped below 1% and on September 6, 2019, I had my life-saving double cord blood transplant. The next seven months were a roller coaster to say the least; dealing with terrible graft vs. host disease and even more time in the hospital. In eight months, I spent a total of 227 days inpatient at Seattle Children’s Hospital and received 204 blood transfusions. But once again, the hell I went through was all worth it because I am cancer free and just celebrated the two-year anniversary of my bone marrow transplant!
I always knew I wanted to return to Camp Goodtimes as a volunteer staffer and this year I was brought onto the team for Family Camp and Virtual Camp Goodtimes. I was able to be a part of camp like never before and I loved every moment. As a camper, the staff always supported me, laughed and cried with me, and would have the most fun. I am so thankful to be able to provide that same support and be a leader that the kids can look up to.
These opportunities for connection are possible because you choose to support The Goodtimes Project. Your contributions give kids like me the space to create community with those who have similar experiences and embrace their cancer journey in a positive way. Thank you!
As 2021 comes to a close, I would like to ask you to consider making another gift to The Goodtimes Project. Will you help spread hope, love, and joy to even more kids and families?
With thanks,
Hanna “Daisy” Safley
Two-time cancer survivor | Four-year camper | First-year staffer