MEET BETHANY ZIMMERMAN
Bethany Zimmerman has unfortunately experienced a fast and furious journey with her cancer diagnosis – progressing from first hearing the words, “your endoscopy revealed that you have esophageal cancer”, to “you have stage 4 metastatic cancer”, in a matter of weeks. After receiving this news, Bethany immediately pursued treatment of radiation, followed by chemotherapy…
MEET JENNY CARROLL
I was first diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer on December 17, 2013. I was a healthy person and the shock was intense. I fought as hard as I could. My son was 13 at the time and was and is my reason for living. I am someone who loves running. I was still running and able to when I was first diagnosed. I did a 100 mile run and was featured on my local news as a badass who is kicking cancer in the teeth and showing it it will never beat me. I beat it! And I had about 4 years of blissful remission. Until 2019. It was back(metastatic colon cancer) and had spread.
MEET TERRY JENSON
Terry Jensen is a decorated soldier in the US Army National Guard. He never imagined that his biggest battle would not be the time he served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005, but rather fighting the cancer in in own body. My Happy Haven is pleased to announce Terry Jensen as the next recipient of a bedroom makeover. He will soon have a peaceful place to heal and recover.
MEET JORDAN COCHRAN
My name is Jordan, I’m a 32 year old mom of a 2.5yo boy and wife to my wonderful husband John of 10 years. In august, we found out I was pregnant and two weeks later we got my cancer diagnosis. Stage 3 triple negative metaplastic breast cancer, with a 90% growth rate. One week later I had a single mastectomy and two weeks after that we started chemo. 13 rounds of chemo and a successful delivery later I have a beautiful baby girl! We still have more chemo, immunotherapy and lots of tests to go. However, we take this journey one day at a time with patience and an annoying amount of positivity.
OUR MISSION
TREASURE VALLEY AREA
My Happy Place
My Happy Place is a 501(c)3 organization comprised of passionate volunteers whose intention is to create healing environments for individuals who are struggling with a serious health issue. A “healing environment” is often defined as one that has a nurturing and therapeutic effect. We simply call it, “my happy place”.
For the person on a serious health journey, a healing environment can help to lower stress and anxiety, reduce pain, accelerate recovery and promote a sense of well-being. My Happy Place does all that, and more. Often times, the news that the individual is going to have a “happy place” created for them, is the first good news they’ve received since their diagnosis. This gives them something to look forward to other than focusing on their illness.
We work closely with the recipient to design and personalize the selected space at their home that will provide the most benefit. We will create a place that embodies soothing colors, cleanliness, sounds, scents and visual stimuli. We use specially curated items that will provide comfort, resulting in a new space that will help to strengthen their ability to cope and recover.
What we offer is one part of the healing process, and we believe a very significant part. Our hope is that each time the recipient walks into their “happy place”, they are reminded they are not alone on their journey-they have the love and support of friends, family and their community.
Serving qualifying recipients in the Treasure Valley Area, Ada and Canyon counties
My Happy Place–Treasure Valley is under the Group Exemption of
My Happy Place–Mason City Inc. for 501(c)3 tax deductible purposes.
My Happy Place–Mason City EIN: 46-2628458
My Happy Haven–Middleton EIN: 86-2612452
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Meet Stacy
Stacey Hunt, age 51, mother of two, wife and survivor of stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. Stacey was diagnosed in 2021 right before Christmas, through a routine mammogram. A small lump in her armpit turned out to be cancer and had spread to 5 lymph nodes. During the holiday season, Stacey began her 6 3-week cycles of chemotherapy infusions, a lumpectomy, radiation and 18 months of anti-cancer drugs. Stacey mentioned during our interview, “Some days it felt as if hospice care would be a better solution”. The side effects from her treatment were tremendous. Stacey has a wonderful support group of family and friends. My Happy Haven Treasure Valley is thrilled to support Stacey by providing a bedroom makeover for her to rest, relax, and heal. Please help up by donating to Stacey bedroom makeover
Meet Jenny
Jenny is a mother of 2 young boys, Henry (4) and Jack (2). Her and her husband, Dustin, have been together for 16 years and married for 6. Jenny is fight stage 4 breast Cancer. She was a preschool teacher in the Boise Valley until she resigned from her job. On June 20th, 2022 Jenny’s follow up appoint determined she was in Stave IV Metastatic Secondary Breast cancer. The treatment is aggressive, and Jenny is taking each day with grace. Jenny is thankful for everyday she gets to spend with her husband and boys. She is very grateful for the opportunity to have a bedroom makeover. Jenny spends most of her days in her room resting and it is her only quiet spot.
Meet Darah
Darah is a 37-year-old mother of 2, recently engaged. In October 2021, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2+ Breast Cancer. She had 6 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and has since had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, all while undergoing radiation. Your donation will allow us to create a haven for her.
Meet Leeann
Leeann works from home full time as a DirecTV Loyalty & Retention Customer Service Representative, Nick works for Hobson as a metal fabricator, Alexis is a Manager at Freddy’s Custard & Steakburgers and Noah attends school full time.
Leeann’s cancer journey is filled with many challenges as she is diagnosed with stage 3 invasive duct carcinoma-breast cancer coupled with a SVT heart condition. She has just finished her chemotherapy and will be having a double mastectomy within the next 4 weeks followed by a series of radiation treatments.
My Happy Haven- Treasure Valley will be awarding Leeann with a bedroom makeover where she can rest, relax & heal.
Meet Brandi
A single mother of 4 amazing teenage children. Brandi is from Boise, 42 years old & works her dream job as a pediatric oncology & bone marrow transplant nurse! Brandi has worked the past 12 years helping others. Brandi’s brother was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, he is her reason for choosing her calling as a nurse.
On December 23rd Brandi was admitted to the hospital with a ruptured stomach. Days later, December 27th, she was told she had stomach cancer. Granted that was not the ideal Christmas gift any person could wish for, however, Brandi & her children have rallied and are stronger than ever.
Brandis spirit and positive attitude is beyond belief. Although stomach cancer is not the easiest to treat, she is determined to win the battle. We are excited to provide Brandi with a bedroom makeover where she can rest, relax and continue to conquer.Welcome Brandi to My Happy Haven Treasure Valley!.
Meet Jodi
Jodi Hertz Meine & her beloved husband of 27 years, David, have lived in the Middleton community for 16 years. She is a 46-year-old, mother of 4, a VERY proud grandmother of 2, a Math teacher at Middleton Middle school, and most importantly an amazing individual.
Jodi received her master’s in mathematics in 2020 and is an avid runner who has received several medals. Jodi loves to spend her free time, gardening, reading, running, and service work in her community.
At the beginning of the summer of 2021, Jodi was diagnosed with Breast Cancer that required her to have aggressive treatments. After several surgeries, the tumors in her breast were successfully removed and she was able to move forward with the next stage of her treatment, which includes a very aggressive form of chemotherapy. Jodi is currently fighting her cancer battle with determination and grace. She exemplifies the definition of being resilient. She is strong in her faith and all that know her, are confident she will win this battle.
My Happy Haven Treasure Valley is thrilled to shower Jodi with additional love by doing a bedroom make-over, a place Jodi can rest and enjoy. Jodi has a huge support system from the Middleton community, faculty, and students of the Middleton school district, friends & most important her family.
MEET OUR BOARD
Sara Adams
Director/President
Alana Eyolfson
Treasurer
Debra Anderson
Board Member
Natalie Miller
Board Member
MY HAPPY PLACE MIDDLETON, ID SERVING THE “TREASURE VALLEY” AREA
Ada and Canyon Counties
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