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At 38 years old, Hannah S. has faced more obstacles than most. A dedicated mother, educator, and survivor, she has navigated the challenges of single parenthood while battling a life-altering cancer diagnosis.

A Life Changed by Cancer

Hannah’s life revolved around her two young sons and her career as a first-grade teacher. She was a healthy, active woman who had never faced serious medical issues; until everything changed.

A few years after moving back to the U.S. from Jamaica, Hannah began experiencing severe and unexplained health issues. However, she was unheard by medical professionals who dismissed her mounting symptoms.

Hannah underwent genetic testing after months of worsening symptoms. Spurred by her mother’s diagnosis of Lynch Syndrome, a genetic mutation linked to several types of cancer, doctors finally took her concerns seriously when she was diagnosed with the syndrome. When she was diagnosed with uterine cancer, Hannah was overwhelmed, but also relieved to finally have answers.

The Fight for Health and Stability

Hannah’s treatment journey was anything but straightforward. After an urgent hysterectomy in December 2022, she initially felt better. However, the real battle had just begun. Stage II cervical cancer was discovered during the surgery, requiring many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. The treatment was long and grueling. Hannah had planned to continue working, but after just two sessions of chemo, it became impossible.

The complications snowballed. A severe case of sciatica led to unbearable pain. Then, as a devastating side effect of radiation, she suffered a broken femur, requiring emergency surgery. Over the course of several months, Hannah endured six surgeries, a lengthy hospital stay, and the financial strain that came with it. As a single mother with no paid medical leave, she went months without pay and quickly fell behind on bills.

Finding Hope Through EMF’s SAMFund

In the midst of her struggles, Hannah turned to online resources to seek support. She didn’t know anyone personally who had been through cancer as a young adult, so she relied on virtual communities to navigate her new reality as a cancer survivor. That’s when she discovered Expect Miracles Foundation and its SAMFund grant program.

Applying for the grant felt like a long shot, but Hannah took a leap of faith. When she found out she had been selected, she was shocked and overwhelmed with gratitude.

A Fresh Start for Hannah and Her Family

Hannah struggled to keep up with her mortgage payments due to the lost income throughout treatment. Expect Miracles Foundation’s SAMFund grant provided immediate relief.

Hannah credits getting back in good financial standing to the SAMFund grant she received. Now, with the worst behind her, she is eager to give back. Having joined the team of SAMFund volunteer grant reviewers at Expect Miracles this year, Hannah now gets to bring her experience as a young adult cancer survivor to help other young adults facing similar hardships find the support they need.

A Message for Other Single Parents Facing Cancer

Hannah’s journey has taught her resilience in the face of adversity. Her advice to others? Seek out support.

Thanks to the generosity of Expect Miracles Foundation, Hannah is looking forward to a brighter, more stable future; one where she can continue her career in early education and be the strong, devoted mother her sons need, without the crushing weight of financial insecurity holding her back.

About EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program

​ Due to the high costs associated with treatment and survivorship, young adults experience financial toxicity at a greater level than any other age group.  SAMFund grants help to alleviate the financial burden resulting from cancer treatment. Thank you to donors for supporting EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program. Because of your generosity, we are helping young adult cancer survivors build bridges to help them get where they were intended to go before cancer disrupted their lives.

What SAMFund Grant Recipients Say