At the start of her senior year, when most students are focused on homecoming, college plans and making memories, 18-year-old Hannah Schantz from Golden Valley, North Dakota, found herself facing a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis.
Instead of cheering on her high school football team or spending time with friends, Hannah was forced to navigate a new reality of hospital rooms, treatment plans and her own fear for the road ahead.
Through it all, she clung to a powerful mantra — words she wrote herself that carried her through the darkest days and ultimately helped shape the future she’s now pursuing: Be strong. Be fierce. Never give up.
When Everything Changed
Heading into her senior year of high school, Hannah was happy and excited about the future. “I had just turned 18. I was a cheer captain. I was our FFA president. I was hanging out with friends. Things were going great,” she said.
Then, everything changed.
“I wasn’t feeling well and was coughing a lot. We thought maybe it was asthma,” Hannah said. “It was hard to breathe.” As Hannah began to feel worse, she saw a doctor who ordered a series of tests.
During homecoming week, Hannah was brought to the emergency department at the Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck after tests revealed fluid in her lungs and a tumor pressing against her heart and esophagus. Eventually she was airlifted to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo where tests finally revealed the devastating news.
Hannah was diagnosed with acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia.
Hannah began chemotherapy right away, but due to the fragility of her lungs and concerns over her heart, she remained hospitalized in Fargo for more than a month. Eventually, she was able to return home to continue her treatment. She stayed with her aunt in Bismarck to be close to the Sanford Cancer Center. On the weekends, she returned home to Golden Valley — a 90-minute drive from Bismarck.
For Hannah, the entire experience was emotional and overwhelming — and far different than what she’d envisioned for her senior year. “I didn’t know how to feel. I’m someone who plans everything. I had my full schedule planned up to graduation with all my senior year stuff and suddenly, everything just stopped,” she said.
But thanks to the team at the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck, along with programs and services fueled by philanthropy, Hannah found the hope and strength she needed to not only face her diagnosis, but to imagine her future beyond her illness.
Care That’s More Than Medicine
Reflecting on her experience, Hannah sees two parts to her cancer journey.
The first is her medical care — lifesaving chemotherapy, procedures, tests, scans and more — all to help her become cancer-free.
The second is the emotional care she’s received — love and compassion from family members, friends, loved ones, her community and her caregivers that lifted her spirits, offered strength, provided comfort and inspired the courage she needed to keep going.
For Hannah, that emotional support came from Sanford’s Child Life team in Bismarck, who helped her face each day with a little less fear and a little more hope.
Fueled by philanthropy, Child Life is a program designed to ease the fear and anxiety of pediatric patients and their loved ones through education, emotional support, guidance and therapeutic play.
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I was terrified not knowing what would happen. I didn’t know anyone who had gone through chemo treatments before. But when we got to Bismarck, the team was so nice. My Nurse Navigator, Kristen Johnson, and my Child Life Specialist, Melissa Schmautz, were playing ukuleles. They always made me happy and always made me smile.
Patient from Golden Valley, North Dakota
“They wanted me to talk about my interests and what I liked doing, and they always brought me things to take my mind off what was happening — from LEGO sets to beads for making bracelets. They made it fun, too. We’d play with syringes and shoot water at each other.”
They also supported her interest in art, encouraging Hannah to use her creative expression as a form of healing.
“When I got sick, art was everything for me,” Hannah said.
Beyond making her smile and providing fun distractions, Hannah said the team in Bismarck also nurtured her spirit.
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They’re an amazing care team. I don’t think I could’ve made it through without them. They could always tell if I needed help. Kristen would sit and talk with me. I felt at home, even though I was going through such a hard time. My team in Bismarck did everything they could to help me get better and achieve my senior goals, from competing in FFA competitions to cheerleading at senior night, going to prom and even going to college.
Patient from Golden Valley, North Dakota
Hannah’s Dream
Today, Hannah is continuing through her treatment plan with monthly infusions and an oral chemotherapy she takes each day. She’s growing stronger and recently completed her freshman year at North Dakota State University.
After graduation, she wants to pursue a career in a field that’s close to her heart.
“My goal is to be a Child Life Specialist,” Hannah said. “I want to be able to give back to kids the way my Child Life Specialists did for me, especially Melissa. She made a really big impact on me. She was right beside me through my whole journey, holding my hand. She was like my other mom in the hospital.”
She’s also looking forward to helping the families of the patients she’ll care for.
“When I was in the hospital, I remember my older brother crying — he was so worried about me,” Hannah said. “I want to be able to help families and siblings of patients, as well. It was scary for me, but I know how scary it was for my family. I want to be able to provide families with the hope and comfort they need.”
Raising Awareness
Today, Hannah is sharing her cancer journey to raise awareness and to inspire support for the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck, where philanthropy fuels everything from lifesaving equipment to programs like Child Life to countless services that make a difference when it matters most.
“I know a lot of what Child Life brings to patients — like beads, LEGO, toys, X-Boxes and more — are made possible through donations. Those things make such a difference and they are all such great distractions for kids who are sick,” Hannah said.
Specialized camps are another service made possible through donor dollars. For Hannah, the chance to attend camps designed for kids with pediatric cancer was life-changing.
“One of the main things that makes kids with cancer feel like we’re normal and human again is camp,” Hannah said. “It’s where we can go and feel like a kid again.”
Give for Good.
Today, growing numbers of kids and adults across central and western North Dakota are facing a cancer diagnosis. With your support, we can improve access to lifesaving screenings and surround patients and families with the care and support they need every step of the way.
When you give through the Sanford Health Foundation, 100% of your donation supports:
- Services like Nurse Navigation and Child Life, offering guidance and support from day one of a diagnosis
- Leading-edge equipment like 3D mammography machines, offering the most advanced early-detection technology
- Complimentary wigs and head coverings for chemotherapy patients
- Direct assistance to help with meals, mileage and lodging
- And so much more!