The Hathaways: A Family With a Heart to Serve
Tell us about yourself and why living cleans important to your family.
When I was 15 my mom got sick with Hepatitis and in an effort to feel better, she began to look into alternative and natural ways to heal. She learned about how our environment and what we put into our bodies affects our health. Ever since then, living a healthy lifestyle has been a priority and a value I want to instill in my family.
Since day one you've been apart of CNF in so many ways, what’s been your family's driving force behind being apart of our mission year after year?
We jumped in wholeheartedly to the CNF mission because we love the Davis family and believe in the work they are doing through the foundation. We have witnessed the courage, strength, community and healing CNF has fostered in childhood cancer families and feel blessed to contribute whatever we can to their mission.
Throughout the years have you had any favorite moments with CNF?
My husband, David, contributed by painting several of the Rooms to Thrive rooms. I wasn’t present for the work, so it was always my favorite part when the room reveal pictures would be posted and we got to see how everything came together and see the expressions on the family’s faces as they walked in to their transformed rooms for the first time. The spaces were beautiful. The joy and tears, the hope and the excitement of something new and beautiful in the midst of challenges and pain was evident. That moment captured in the photos made all of the hard work that goes in to each room worth it.
How important is it for your children to see your generosity and heart to love on and help others?
It’s so important. I believe what we live teaches our kids even more than what we say. It’s even more impactful when our words match our actions. When our family gives, they get to see what a blessing it is to be generous and that’s a gift.
Would you say getting involved is worth it? Why?
100% yes. Getting involved in loving on, caring for, and providing for this community in whatever form (big or small) is worth your time and investment. CNF has the ability to uniquely care for the childhood cancer community and it is rewarding to be a part of the work.
How important is it for you to align yourself with a like-minded organization as it pertains to values? In ways did the Carsyn Neille Foundation mission and values align with your family's?
There are a lot of great organizations and programs out there that care for people in different ways. It was easy to say “yes” to be a part of what the foundation was doing because it does reflect our values. The heart of the foundation is love: caring for people, hearing their stories, taking the time to listen and then responding to those needs. CNF loves well and that is a mission we can stand behind.
Let's Talk About Your Active Lifestyle
You all have been a very active family (you helped my son become brave when its comes to spiders and snakes) why has outdoor play been so important to you and your family?
Being outside is very important to our family because we love nature. The sounds, smells, and feel of nature refresh us and, if we are observant enough, teach us lessons we would be wise to heed.
Would you say there’s benefits to outdoor play? If so, what are they?
Yes! Playing outdoors has many benefits: Vitamin D from the sun, balance and dexterity from climbing trees and rocks, science lessons from observations, mental health from fresh air, exercise and a break from screens… the list goes on!
Recently you all moved to beautiful Hawaii how “hard” has it been to stay active outdoors? What have you all gotten into?
Hawaii is amazing! It is quite easy to stay active outdoors here with the non-stop warm weather and gorgeous ocean and mountains. We have loved surfing, snorkeling, shelling, hiking, skating and biking. My husband and daughter even had the opportunity to jump out of a helicopter into the ocean!
Going back to earlier discussion about getting involved and investing in impact-driven work, What would you suggest to anyone wanting to get involved as a family?
To the family that is looking for an opportunity to invest in something that matters together, I would say CNF is worthy of your investment! Start the conversation today by filling out the contact form on the website. Everyone has something to bring to the table and there are many ways that your family can contribute. Your generosity will bless the childhood cancer community and your own family!
And lastly, you’re hosting a Community-Partnered Event March 29th in honor of someone special will you tell a bit about your experience with cancer and who this event will honor?
March 29th is my Aunt Melissa’s birthday. She passed away August 26, 2021 from ovarian cancer and would be turning 57 this year. She was my childhood hero because of her unwavering faith and contagious joy. Even in her last months of life when she couldn’t eat and was in immense pain, she loved and encouraged others with every ounce of her strength. I wanted to host this childhood cancer awareness event on her birthday in her honor.
