Brooke Hansen
2004 Community Hero
A day of dress-up, Barbies, baby dolls, crafts and bikes – that’s the kind of day that would leave five-year-old Brooke tickled pink. But for an active, energetic girl like Brooke, her “favorites” certainly don’t stop there. Add to the list dancing, swimming, snow skiing – and that’s just the start!
Last year, Brooke was diagnosed with high-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Following three and a half months of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, a relapse and another round of chemotherapy, Brooke still awakens every morning with an infectious smile on her face and an incredible zest for life. She misses dance class and preschool, but enjoys getting to see all the kind doctors and nurses at the hospital.
Her mother, Amber, says Brooke is always quick to remind her “that today is going to be a good day.” Brooke’s sense of peace about life and her caring, joyful spirit are instantly palpable to everyone who crosses her path. Even when chemo caused her hair to fall out last St. Patrick’s Day, she smiled and exclaimed – “It’s St. Baldrick’s Day!”
Brooke herself believes the true measure of a hero lies in his or her ability to be “strong, brave and happy.” She certainly meets that mark and more.
