In the summer before beginning her senior year of high school, Brooklyn Hawkins began experiencing daily fevers, shortness of breath, and overall physical fatigue. She found herself in-and-out of the doctors office, each time experiencing more concern for her growing symptoms. After continuing to advocate for herself, Brooklyn received scans that would reveal a Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosis at seventeen years old.
While navigating life as a senior in high school, Brooklyn suddenly found herself in a whirlwind journey of being diagnosed with cancer and having a full treatment plan within a week. She courageously shares her day-to-day life receiving a rigorous schedule of chemotherapy and the many hospitalizations that accompanied cancer treatment.
Brooklyn’s experience was unique in that she received treatment at both a children’s and adult hospital. She speaks about the feeling of not belonging at either hospital as a teenager. Brooklyn channeled these feelings of alienation and not being understood into “In The Middle Of A Miracle”, a nonprofit that provides love and support for Oklahoma pediatric cancer patients with an emphasis on teenagers.
In The Middle Of A Miracle continues to grow today and was adopted as the local philanthropy for Brooklyn’s sorority at Oklahoma State University. Her non-profit organization hosts events, various programs, and even provides scholarships to pediatric cancer patients in need. To learn more about In The Middle Of A Miracle and the many ways to get involved or support please visit the resources below!
Episode Resources:
In The Middle Of A Miracle:
https://www.inthemiddleofamiracle.org/
https://www.instagram.com/inthemiddleofamiracle
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092705070509
Oklahoma Proton Center
https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/
https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter
The Cancer Project Podcast
https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject