When you’re training for the Olympics, you expect to face challenges—grueling workouts, injuries, and the pressure to perform at your best. But for Jen Hamann, a Seattle-based former boxer, one of the biggest struggles of her life wasn’t in the ring. It came in the form of a brain cancer diagnosis while she was at the peak of her athletic career. The diagnosis was harrowing, but it didn’t extinguish Jen’s spirit. She is a survivor who turned her diagnosis and subsequent journey into a mission to help others by becoming a peer mentor, helping other cancer patients navigate their own pathways.
From dashed dreams to a ray of hope
At the age of 27, Jen was balancing a boxing career with pursuing a master’s degree in psychology when she began experiencing unexplained nausea and fatigue. She initially dismissed her symptoms as a possible concussion from a recent sparring session, but a trip to the emergency room revealed something far more serious—a brain tumor.
Her plans to compete in the 2016 Olympics came to a halt as she underwent surgery, followed by six weeks of radiation and a year of oral chemotherapy. The diagnosis was a setback not just to her plans but to her sense of self. Yet, she approached her treatment the same way she approached boxing—with resilience, grit, and an unyielding spirit.
“They told me my prognosis, saying ‘you have about three and a half years to live.’ My parents were with me, and my mom started crying. That night I went for a walk, and I sort of checked in with myself, ‘Okay, I have three and a half years. I can make it until I’m 30. I can finish this degree program. Let’s continue what we are doing.’ That mindset. That helped me the most.”
That was 10 years ago. Today, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology.
When Jen was first diagnosed, rather than dwelling on it, she took control of her life in a different way. She made the decision to enroll in a clinical trial that offered more aggressive treatment than what was available at the time. She also sought emotional help. Feeling the need to connect with people who had been through what she had, she reached out to Cancer Hope Network at the recommendation of a friend.
“I filled out the form online, and then I had two gentlemen call me who had the same diagnosis as me 20 years before. They had the same prognosis, yet ended up surviving. Just knowing that raised my spirits.”
A new lease on life – and a chance to help others
Once Jen had been cleared of cancer for five years, she reached back out to Cancer Hope Network. She felt a strong desire to help others who were now facing the same challenges she once did. That’s when she decided to become a peer mentor like the ones who had helped her on her cancer journey.
Over the last five years, Jen has been matched with numerous cancer patients, many of whom share a similar diagnosis or who are young adults like herself who’ve found it hard to connect with traditional support groups.
“I understand what they’re going through, because I’ve been there,” Jen says. “It’s one thing to hear from doctors or family, but it’s another to talk to someone who’s lived it.”
For Jen, mentoring isn’t just about giving advice—it’s about empowering others so that cancer doesn’t crush their spirit. She helps her mentees realize that while the road ahead may be difficult, it doesn’t mean their lives are over. Just as she found new purpose she encourages others to find strength in their journey.
“I tell those whom I mentor to, above all, not give up hope. I tell them to reject the negativity that others can sometimes bring, and be their own self-advocates for positivity. My message is ‘You’re stronger than you think. And you don’t have to go through it alone.’”
Jen’s story is a powerful example of how peer mentors can make a profound difference in the lives of cancer patients and caregivers. For those who may feel isolated by their diagnosis or who need guidance from someone who has faced the same struggles, peer mentors like Jen offer hope. Whether it’s through advice, encouragement, or simply listening, mentors help clients see that they aren’t alone. If you’ve been impacted by cancer and want to give back, consider becoming a peer mentor. Like Jen, you can use your experience to inspire hope and strength in someone else’s life.
Interested in becoming a volunteer peer mentor? Learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference.
About Cancer Hope Network
Cancer Hope Network provides free and confidential 1:1 peer support for cancer patients, survivors, and those who love them. Our trained survivor and caregiver volunteer mentors provide support from diagnosis, through treatment and into survivorship. They have faced more than 98% of the cancers that will be diagnosed in 2023, speak 15 languages, and are prepared to offer hope and guidance through a wide variety of challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis.
All volunteer and client matches are overseen and supported from beginning to end by a team of healthcare and social work professionals. For more information about Cancer Hope Network and its mission, please visit https://cancerhopenetwork.org/
