Lighthouse for Hope founder and CEO Hannah Cobley on what families battling cancer actually need
meet Hannah.
oftentimes, when someone is diagnosed with cancer, it is common to refer to them as a cancer warrior, or a fighter.
Hannah is all of those things (and more), but she’s also a light of hope.
Hannah exemplifies the notion that it’s okay to let life circumstances change you, but that there is something more to be said when you can then change them as well, by instead choosing to spread love, positivity, hope, and courage to many, many others.
she’s the founder of a non-profit that helps give back to those experiencing hardships due to childhood cancer, and Lighthouse for Hope shows that every little bit counts: from a hug and a heartfelt prayer, to a gas card and bag of groceries, we can all show up for others and do our part.
through this interview, i hope you can see Hannah for who she is, and that she can encourage you by showing how much good one person can do in this world.
she’s living proof.
Hi Hannah. Tell me a little bit about what you were like growing up.
I would say that I had a relatively “normal” childhood. 2 loving parents, 2 older sisters that I was close to, and a great group of friends.
I was taught to live faithfully, trust in God, equip myself to serve those around me, and reflect good graces on every person I met. I embraced these lessons and considered my life to be ordinary.
Little did I know the extent to which my faith would be tested and how radically my life would change.
Throughout high school, you were a go-getter, yes? Senior year is a big year for most of us; what were you like and what were your plans after graduating?
School was never my strong suit. I was always a go-getter in things that I was passionate about and I wasn’t necessarily passionate about school. At the time I was very involved in church youth group and show choir and theater. I was a major social butterfly and was friends with everyone. I had plans to go to the University of Arizona and major in Special Education.
And then you were essentially side-lined by exhaustion. Things took a turn, and your parents took you to the emergency room.
My senior year I had a half day of classes. So I would come home at around 1 pm and then nap the rest of the day. I would then wake up, go do whatever activity I had planned, then go home and go straight to bed again. It was impossible to get me out of bed. I missed so much school but was able to graduate. Then in July all my random symptoms caught up to me. I had bruising all over my body, severe back and abdominal pain, and the same exhaustion. One Thursday night I was sick from the abdominal pain and didn’t sleep at all, the next day we went to my doctor. She said to go to the ER if it didn’t get any better as she thought I might have an ovarian cyst or appendicitis. When we got to the ER, they drew my blood and said it was a little “weird” and kept taking more. At that point the head of the ER came in and sat down to discuss a possible Leukemia diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis is unfathomable to anyone, but to not even have time to process it, or to even be able to go home for a night… what was that like?
Cancer was the last thing on our minds. So when he said Leukemia for the first time, the rug was pulled out from under us. There was no time to react as I was considered high risk and transported in an ambulance right away to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. I was admitted to the hospital with a cancer diagnosis just 10 hours after I first went to the ER. I was the first person I knew to have cancer, so I was thrown into this world that I knew absolutely nothing about. That first night I was afraid to fall asleep because I didn’t know if I was going to wake up.
One of my friends was diagnosed with cancer right before high school, and as a friend, I didn’t know what to say; I didn’t know what to do. I talked to Destiny last February about what we can do to be friends to those who are fighting cancer, but what advice would you give?
Ask permission. Make plans. Be flexible. Laugh together. Allow for sadness. Check in. Follow through. Don’t disappear.
How was your treatment, and what was your support system like during the process?
The first month of treatment in the hospital was really rough. However, what made it easier was the support my family received. People showed up and loved us during our darkest hour. My treatment lasted 2.5 years and consisted of intense chemotherapy and Arsenic treatment. My life consisted of hair loss, weight loss and weight gain, constant nausea, exhaustion, mouth sores, bone marrow biopsies, and spinal taps. However, there were always people there to pick me up when I couldn’t do it myself. I began to notice that not every family fighting childhood cancer has the same support. In fact, it’s kind of rare. It became really clear to me that there was a big need in the childhood cancer community.
The majority of people finish their cancer treatments and look to close that chapter on their lives; you started a 501(c)(3) instead. Can you tell me about Lighthouse for Hope, and how you decided on the name?
I started Lighthouse 5 years after I was diagnosed. So it was a while before I decided to give back. I knew I wanted to do something eventually but figured it would be years away and something I would do maybe after college.
Lighthouse was a big part of my healing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but right before I started Lighthouse, I was at rock bottom. I started Lighthouse for Hope to be a light for others experiencing childhood cancer, but in doing that it has brought so much light to my life.
Lighthouse’s mission is to provide support for families experiencing the physical, emotional and financial setbacks caused by childhood cancer. When coming up with a name, I came across this quote: “A lighthouse is a welcoming structure, a reassuring sign of steady ground ahead, and an optimistic symbol of hope for all looking to move forward safely. It is an emblem of strength located at the edge of unpredictable tides as it provides navigational guidance and bright light in a storm.”
What’s especially remarkable about Lighthouse for Hope is how versatile you are and how widespread the foundation is in covering the needs’ of families. You work with social workers to find families, and you’ve mentioned that some of the kids you sponsor have stories that nobody hears about - why is there such a deficit in awareness, and what do you wish people knew?
People don’t like to talk about childhood cancer. People don’t like to think that something so awful can happen to children, but it can and it does. Only 4% of government funding is allocated for childhood cancer research. It doesn’t get enough attention. Childhood cancer is not rare.
In fact, it’s common, and it can happen to any child, any time, in any family. And it’s expensive. We are committed to alleviating financial stress so that families can focus on helping their children heal. I am passionate about the families that sort of get lost in the crowd. The kids that have stories that nobody hears about. Oftentimes they are struggling on top of having a child with cancer. Like you mentioned, I work directly with social workers that help us find families that would best benefit from our assistance. The majority of the families we help financially are really struggling. We have helped families that are homeless, families that don’t have a car, families that we buy Christmas gifts for then find out they don’t even have a tree to put all the gifts under. I’ve seen a mom cry and thank me for toilet paper. Things that you and I would maybe take for granted.
I don’t even think words do it justice: cancer is extremely traumatic. You are such a blessing for staying in the “cancer world,” so to speak, to help other families going through a similar experience, but I can only imagine how heavy that is for you at times.
It comes in waves. But I say it all the time that I would take my cancer 100 times over again if these kids didn’t have to. Sometimes I become overwhelmed with the reality so many kids are living. Knowing that they are feeling all the pain and discomfort I felt and more is enough to make me want to remove myself from the cancer world and never think about it ever again. But my fight isn’t over. I will always keep fighting for these kids.
To some people, cancer is a part of their life, not their whole life, in the sense that they don’t necessarily want to revisit it once they are discharged from the hospital. You’re using your experience to make a change for others - do you separate your life as before and after cancer? How do you define yourself?
Even if I didn’t start Lighthouse, I still wouldn’t be able to completely move on from my cancer experience. But I don’t really like the term “moving on.” I move forward and it looks different than it would if I never got cancer. I am reminded of my cancer and what it did to my body every day. Lots of side effects, the higher risk of heart disease, and secondary cancers constantly hang over my head.
I have this body, and even though it hurts and doesn’t work right, but it’s here. Cancer truly does impact every single aspect of someone’s life. It doesn’t just go away even when the chemo and radiation works. Cancer left an imprint on my life. When I was my sickest it brought clarity and purpose. Lighthouse made it possible for me to find clarity and purpose once again. So yes, I do separate my life as before and after cancer, but the after is so much better.
No two days are the same for anyone, but what does a day in your life look like?
Most days are actually pretty boring! I have an office for Lighthouse that was donated, so I try to go there every day. I feel more productive when I am there and my interns come and meet me. Sometimes I go to the hospital to meet a new family and deliver things to them. Meetings with potential donors or partners. Shipping merchandise out, planning events, etc. Since I work the majority of my week alone, I rely heavily on my friends and family to keep me sane. When I’m done working for the day I spend time with them and recharge.
In the time you’ve been running Lighthouse for Hope, what has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned along the way, or trial you’ve faced?
When I first started Lighthouse, I wanted instant gratification. That didn’t happen. Lighthouse has been around for 4 years and has done the most growth in the last year. I have learned that the best things take time and that I will find support in the most unexpected of places.
What is one thing everyone should know how to do?
One thing everyone should know how to do is ask for help and accept it when it’s offered.
How can others get involved?
The best things to do for Lighthouse is to donate and help raise awareness. Buy one of our shirts or hats and post about it and share with others WHY you choose to support our mission.
And because it’s Lighthouse for Hope.. what gives you hope?
These sweet fighters that I meet and get to support during their fight against cancer give me so much hope.
What do you hope for?
I hope for so many things! I hope that Lighthouse will continue to make an impact in the years to come. I hope that I will be able to keep living my life cancer free!
seven questions with hannah cobley:
I can’t go a day without… Singing my feelings in my car.
Everyone should… read The Red Tent, see Hamilton, + hear Nora McInerny’s Ted Talk on grief.
Life is better with a little… Humor.
Everyone in their 20s should… Volunteer somewhere they wouldn’t normally go.
One insider thing to do in Phoenix… Eat a cheese crisp at Tee Pee Mexican Food.
What the world needs right now is… TO STAY INSIDE (#COVID19)
One way to spread love is… by small acts of kindness.
You can follow Lighthouse for Hope on Instagram, and check out their website for more information and ways to get involved.
shop their store as a way to show your support, or donate to help families in need.
All photos courtesy of Madi Robison.