Carolyn Breinich was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in 1994, five days before her 14th birthday. Her treatment consisted of two and a half years of chemo and ten days of cranial radiation.

Carolyn earned her bachelor’s degree in zoology from The Ohio State University and her master’s degree in recreational therapy from The University of Toledo. Carolyn is dual certified Recreational Therapist/Child Life Specialist and has more than 24 years working with pediatric cancer patients in a hospital, outpatient clinic, and camp setting.

No matter what has happened in her life, Carolyn has always had a strong faith and believes that she is alive for a reason. Being a voice for childhood cancer patients/ survivors is one of those reasons. Carolyn has always been a strong advocate for childhood cancer survivors. Last year, she joined American Cancer Society Gold Together, where she gets to work with people who collectively want to make the world a better place for childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families. Raising money and awareness about the needs of childhood cancer survivors is important to Carolyn, as she has dealt with psychosocial issues, secondary cancer and depression.

She wrote and published her memoir, Faith, Hope and Cancer: The Journey of a Childhood Cancer Survivor. Her goal was to share her story of what it was like to grow up as a childhood cancer survivor and hopes it will make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

Carolyn and her husband, Lee, and their two dogs are from Ohio, but lead a nomadic life.  For the past few years, they have been traveling the United States in their motorhome, seeing the beauty it has to offer.  Carolyn loves ballroom dancing.  She danced for 10 years and now dances when she has the opportunity.