OMF- Hanna Johnson (19) talks about her fight with acute lymphoblastic B-cell leukemia,

Hanna was diagnosed on Father’s Day, June 2019. Hanna had begun to have severe migraines that would not go away, no matter what her and her family tried. She also had petechiae running down her legs and had no idea what it was. Hanna was also very tired and knew something was wrong with her body. Hanna kept telling her mom " I know my body and I know that something is wrong." Then her neurologist said, "why don't we get blood work, just to be safe." After running a few tests, Hanna found out she had cancer. Hanna spent the next month on the 6th floor of Boston Children's Hospital and for the next 24 months she received chemotherapy at the Jimmy Fund Clinic. She just finished treatment on July 22. Her hobbies include competitive dance, varsity volleyball, and painting. Hanna also babysits for a 4-month-old and a 2-year-old while also working for her dad at his golf course in the pro shop in Watertown. In the fall, she is starting her freshman year at Emmanuel College, Hanna will be a nursing major. Hanna's thoughts about the Jimmy Fund Clinic are all about the nurses. She says, “I knew when my nurses were engaged, having a baby, or even buying a house. They let me in on their personal lives to help lighten the long day at The Jimmy Fund. The nurses helped me, and my family get through this incredibly hard time. When I was admitted to the ICU from the Jimmy Fund, the two nurses who helped take care for me that day at the Jimmy Fund Clinic came up to ICU after their shift was over to check on me and my family. That's the kind of nurse I want to be. Also, Lisa Scherber, the Director of Patient and family programs, and her staff were also incredible giving teens special projects, zoom calls, Red Sox games, and trips (before COVID to help get us through treatment and keep cancer off our minds.”