Caroline Hale  has a lot of numbers that tell about her life.  16—her age.  13—the age she was diagnosed with cancer.  2—years of chemotherapy.  56—blood transfusions.  150—trips to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital outpatient center.  25—admissions to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.  But the most important number to Caroline and her family is 1.5—the number of years she has been cancer-free.

Now there’s another number in Caroline’s life—1 million—the number of dollars she and her family, along with the Williamson County Chapter of the Friends of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, have pledged to raise for the hematology/oncology floor in the new outpatient center.

 "Vanderbilt became a second home to me over the past few years," Caroline said.  "Now it just seems natural to do what I can to give back."

Caroline has her family to support her in this fundraising effort.  Her parents, Doug and Brenda, and her two older sisters, Kathleen, 21, and Crockett, 17, have been faithfully by her side throughout her fight with cancer that began an April day in 2000.

"I remember I had to go in for a bone scan and was excited to miss a math test that day," Caroline said.  The 13-year-old had had a backache for more than four months. "My dad and I were on the way back to school when my doctor called on the cell phone.  He said to turn around and come back immediately."

Back at the hospital, Caroline and Doug were met by the rest of their family who waited with them until the midnight diagnosis.  Caroline had a tumor wrapped around her spinal cord.  It was non-Hodgkins lymphoma and it was a very aggressive cancer.

Caroline's close-knit family provided support throughout her struggle with cancer. The Hales, starting in the back, left to right: Brenda, Doug, Kathleen, Crockett and Caroline.

"It just seemed so surreal," Kathleen said.  "I had never known anyone with cancer or anything like this.  But I remember, I immediately thought ‘Okay, we have to accept this, so what’s our game plan.’"

The Hales had to come up with a game plan quickly, because in three days Caroline would start chemotherapy.

"Doug and I didn’t even have to talk about it.  It seemed obvious to us," Brenda said.  "I quit working that day to stay home to take care of Caroline." 

Brenda and Doug, both lawyers, had worked together for the past 25 years at their Frankin practice. But now Brenda’s full-time job would be caring for their child.

Chemotherapy started for Caroline and lasted for two years.  And it was a roller coaster ride for the entire family.

"I had almost every side effect of chemo," Caroline said.  "I gained 40 pounds in a month," she said as she showed the remaining stretch marks that resulted.  The five-sport athlete had always been thin, and the weight gain wreaked havoc on her previously trim body. Caroline remained determined and strong throughout her battle with the disease.  Her family members each found their own way to cope with watching their daughter and their little sister go through the horrors of chemotherapy.

"We were going to be right there with her every minute until she got better," Doug said.   

And they were.  Brenda spent her days taking Caroline to appointments, caring for her and researching everything they could.  Doug never missed a school event for any of the girls and was at every appointment for Caroline.

Caroline's illness had a large impact on her sisters, who had to find a way to cope while in the midst of growing up. Now that Caroline is in remission, the girls are able to have more fun just being sisters. From left to right: Kathleen, Caroline, and Crockett.

"Caroline’s family was very caring," said Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital’s Dr. Sadhna Shankar, the primary oncologist who provided Caroline’s care.  "They did a lot of research, had a lot of questions, and wanted what was in the best interest of their child.  And Caroline handled things so well.  She’s a special girl."

Caroline certainly never let up on her end.  If she was well enough to get out of bed, she would go running or swim, doing anything to regain what cancer was trying to take away from her life. She’s now a player on Harpeth Hall’s soccer team. She also serves as a national teenage spokesperson for the American Red Cross, is an Honor Roll finalist for the Sports Illustrated American Teen Award, and was the 2003 youth ambassador for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.  This is all above and beyond her commitment to raising funds for the Williamson County Friends donation.

Though she and her family fear the cancer could return, Caroline is happy to say she’s cancer-free and getting on with her life. "It’s still unbelievable that we got through it," Brenda said. The Hale’s contribute much of their strength throughout this ordeal to their faith. This found strength has led Doug to enter divinity school to get a deeper understanding of his religious beliefs.  The family’s faith is also a part of their current efforts to help others. 

"I prayed throughout Caroline’s treatment that if God would heal her, I’d help her make a difference in the lives of others—I would try to make a difference," Doug said.

There’s still one number that is important to Caroline and her family, but one they don’t know yet – the number of people that will be helped by their contribution to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital’s new outpatient center.

photos by Dana Johnson