Harper's Story

Harper, who lives in Durham, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 8. Now 10, Harper recently celebrated an incredible milestone: finishing her active treatment and ringing the bell to signal this achievement! Harper is a national advocate for pediatric cancer through the V Foundation. She loves riding her horse and playing with her dogs, and is also an honorary member of the Duke Softball team through Team IMPACT! 

"Helping others has been a large part of Harper's healing throughout her treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia," says Harper's mom, Heather. "When presented with an opportunity to represent Duke Children's through the Patient Ambassador program, it was such a perfect opportunity to do something she loves while representing a place that she loves and that we both hold dear. Sharing hope with patients and their families has been rewarding and restorative. Though most childhood diagnosis are terrifying to both children and their parents, having Harper stand up and say, 'You can do this!' and 'You're not alone,' has really resonated with patients, parents, and the general public in terms of creating awareness around the level of care that people can expect at Duke Children's."