OLATHE, Kan. — Take that cancer! Olathe’s Deliece Hofen has encouraged thousands of pediatric cancer patients with that message, and now, a magazine has made Braden’s Hope its cover story.
Never give up. That’s Hofen’s mission through the Braden’s Hope Foundation, and now, it’s captured on the pages of this magazine.
Just a mother and son being themselves. Flip through the pages of HerLife magazine, and that’s what you’ll find. HerLife photojournalist Heather Murrow captures the Hofens showing that cancer no longer controls them.
The Hofens have battled cancers for most of Braden’s life. While Braden, who is also autistic, battled Neoblastoma as a toddler, Deliece was undergoing treatments for stage two breast cancer.
“(The photo shoot) gives us an opportunity to tell everyone about it,” Deliece Hofen said. “The people of Kansas City are so beautiful. They really envelope these kids in their arms. They want to get involved and they want to help out.”
Through the Braden’s Hope Foundation, the Hofens have raised thousands of dollars to help sick kids, and the magazine’s photos show that good health can be found.
“Being able to hold this cover in our hands is something that you can look at for years in the future,” Deliece Hofen said. “The cool thing is, I can look at this picture and honestly feel the love.”
Ann Kohlstaad works with the HerLife staff, and says the pediatric community owes Hofen a great debt.
“That’s why she’s on the cover,” Kohlstaad said.
“She is single-handedly changing cancer in our healthcare community, if not in this country, then beyond. She has personally raised funds toward new treatments and research for these kids.”
Most importantly, Braden and Deliece say they’re feeling great. This fall, Braden will celebrate a year and a half since he left cancer behind.
If you would like to read the article and see more of the Hofen’s photo shoot from HerLife magazine, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to visit the Braden’s Hope Foundation website.
