When it all started

Hi, my name is Hannah Soderstrom and I am the founder of Even Mermaids Get Leukemia, Inc. In 2016 I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and through my journey I have learned that *doing every day task * while on chemo is not as easy as it looks. Missing out on some monumental moments for a kid (like my entire last year of middle school and the first day of high school) inspired me to not take my childhood for granted. During the final year of my chemo I started feeling better so I thought it was time to make memories and become my old self again, however it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. After I signed up for school cheer, a dance class, started my first job, and went back to school full time I got sick once again. My body just wasn't ready for the new change. My doctors informed me that it was in my best interest to quit everything and just focus on school and my health, so that's what I did. Now knowing I had to wait until chemo was finished to become socially active again I started thinking about all the fighters just like me. I have met many kids with cancer and I think about all the things they are missing as well. That's when I thought of my nonprofit idea.

Mermaids?? Why Mermaids?

At the beginning of my treatment, a nurse suggested to my parents to create a social media site to keep our family and friends updated so we weren’t overwhelmed with phone calls and texts. After the the second day a Facebook page was started. Do you know how many Team Hannah or Fight with Hannah sites there are? A LOT! Hannah is not a unique name. And I am an out-of-the-box type of kid so what would grab someone’s attention? Mermaids, of course! Not a believer in mermaids, just think about this, humans know more about space than our own oceans. And cancer is still a mystery to many. Like the ocean, we need to discovery ourselves, cancer did that for me. Therefore, even mermaids can get leukemia.

hOW it works

Even Mermaids Get Leukemia, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to helping childhood cancer survivors become kids again. We want to help a childhood cancer survivor who has just completed treatment within a year get involved with a local activity. For example, music lessons, join a Taekwondo class, swimming lessons, etc. Send us the child’s name, activity he/she are interested in joining and a parent’s contact information and we will reach out to see if we are able to help. Funds for the activities will be paid directly to the recreation of their choice.

“The success of my nonprofit will be measured through the amount of smiles I can help bring to our kids.”

Hannah Soderstrom

Even Mermaids Get Leukemia founder

Organizations we support

Throughout my journey the following organizations have made an impact in my life therefor Even Mermaids get Leukemia will support; The Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Make-A-Wish, and The American Red Cross.