Senior project incorporates cancer research

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Not every capstone project students’ work on is something they are passionate about. Senior Victoria Hampton made sure hers was. As a creative writing and journalism double major, Hampton decided to do a project that would not only affect someone else’s life, but her own as well.

For Hampton’s creative writing senior project she wrote the first three chapters of her novel, “Somewhere between Hope and Paradise,” hoping to someday be published.

“My book focuses on an 8-year-old girl named Lilly who is diagnosed with Leukemia. I really admire authors who incorporate a lot of research into their work, so since October I have volunteered at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. I tutor patients in the oncology/hematology unit. This has given me some great insight into the operation of a hospital and also what children are subjected to when hospitals become their second homes.”

Hampton had a connection with the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital since her cousin, Cameron, was treated there at 6-years-old. Cameron’s treatment is what inspired her to volunteer at the hospital.

“[Cameron] had a rare form of cancer called clear cell sarcoma and was given a 60 percent chance of survival. My family has always raved about the care he received at Doernbecher’s and I knew when I moved to the Portland area I wanted to eventually volunteer there. Now I tutor students in the same unit where my cousin received his treatment. Cameron just turned 17 a few weeks ago.”

This is an eye-opening experience for Hampton that has inspired her to hopefully work with a non-profit organization after she graduates.

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