Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Kuban-Johnston.
Danielle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My life… my story… this is the beginning of a wild journey that really starts at the age of 19! “You have Cancer”, one of the most frightening and life-changing words that anyone can hear. These are the words that will forever resonate in my head. This day for me was October 31, 2004. Well… HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The hospital performed multiple tests over a period of 1 week: they drained 64 ounces of fluid from my left lung, placed a port-a-cath in my chest that would be accessed to receive chemotherapy, had a non-sedated bedside bone marrow biopsy, and a biopsy of the tumor that all led to a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the young age of 19 years old. I heard the dreadful words “You have Cancer” four different times within a 3-year time span; my diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, my mother with breast cancer and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) as a secondary malignancy, and my father when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer during the same time span of my mom’s treatment.
We all have dreams – I was attending Texas A&M University while living a young, hopeful, and fun-filled life by the moment. When I was diagnosed, I suddenly started to think more about the future such as graduation, a career, marriage, and eventually starting a family. My dreams started to dwindle by the day with the realization that I may never see them come true. I left the University to start treatment and received chemotherapy for six months and radiation for one.
Throughout these trying times my mother was my best friend, confidant, and strongest supporter. Shortly thereafter, she heard the terrible news “You have Cancer”. Through chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery she won the fight against breast cancer. Several months following remission – on Christmas Eve we received the most devastating news of all… the chemotherapy she received that cured her breast cancer caused an extremely rare cancer called Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The doctor informed my family that she had a few months to live inclusive of a very intense treatment plan. Well…MERRY CHRISTMAS! She won the fight against breast cancer, but when she was diagnosed with AML we only had four short months together. During her final weeks, I made a promise to her that I would devote my life to help support others overcome cancer and then laid my mom to rest on my 23rd birthday… Well… HAPPY BIRTHDAY! With all the obstacles I’ve faced in life I can proudly say that I am 13 Years Cancer Free and devoted my life to fighting to find a cure and assist families with the trajectory cancer takes on a patient and family.
These life experiences paved a pathway of determination to fulfill my promise and I can proudly say that I became a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Oncology. I am also humbled and privileged to be involved in numerous community organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, co-chair for the Good Will Gala, a medical representative for the Sunshine Kids, board member of the Leading Ladies of Houston, the Houston Area Youth Council, Project Peru among many other great organizations that I believe in! A large part of my involvement for some of these organizations is to help raise money for various research and to assist with each organizations mission statement. I am lucky to have the unconditional support of my family, friends, co-workers, and the city of Houston. The support has poured over into media coverage, where I’ve had public appearances such as: Great Day Houston, the Texas Children’s Hospital Voice of Nursing Blog, KHOU/Cadillac “Shaping Houston” Campaign, Texas Children’s Promise Campaign, and to be the emcee for various events such as the LLS “Student of the Year” Campaign, among many other honors I’ve endeavored over the course of pursuing my dreams of a “Cancer Free” world. I will continue to support the organizations I believe in, as they have believed in me, and will now embark on another journey of creating my own organizational vision – Dream Rydes…stay tuned everyone!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Tragedy defined my Passion…. if you read My Story; you know it hasn’t been an easy journey. I truly believe nothing in life worthwhile comes with ease. I stayed awake countless nights praying, hoping, and dreaming of being the most successful and independent woman that my mom always wanted me to be. I’ve lived my life to the fullest, not knowing when my time is, and had a great motivator from up above. Take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror and love the reflection in the mirror! Who is your motivator? What is your driving force? What mark do you want to leave in this world? You can have the confidence, the self-motivation, and the willingness to be great. Find your path to be a strong woman, to be generous, to have self-worth, and you will find success on your own. Remember – what knocks you down only makes you stronger, so find your passion and a support system then go live your DREAMS!
Please tell us about Dream Rydes.
I attended Texas A&M University for my undergrad & The University of Texas Medical Branch for my Nurse and Nurse Practitioner’s degree. I worked as an in-patient Pediatric Oncology Nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital for 4.5 years, then worked as a Nurse Practitioner for four years in the Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center specializing in Solid Tumors with a focus on the Rare Tumor Program Development. I recently decided to pursue a career at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals working in the development of new pharmacological oncology treatment and symptom agents with physicians and researchers from across the United States.
There is insurmountable joy that comes with my career choice, but also insurmountable pain that comes with this territory as well. I’ve spent weeks, months, and years with families in the hospital and no matter the result I treat these families as an extension of my own family. To further help families with blood cancers, I was nominated for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) “Woman of the Year Campaign” and raised $152,000 in 10 short weeks. The LLS funds blood cancer research, education, and offers an array of patient/family services throughout treatment. There are quite a few organizations that provide this type of support for cancer research, new drug developments, etc… however my experience as a Nurse Practitioner showed me there is more we can do for families during these trying times. There is always ‘more’ that we can do! In memory of my mother, in memory and in honor of all my amazing, strong, and inspirational pediatric oncology patients, and for all my colleagues who devote their lives to find an ‘end all’ cure to this devastating disease I decided to start my own organization “Dream Rydes”.
Patients face a lot of struggles beyond their health; they face many financial struggles as well. One of the most consistent struggles I witnessed with many patients is related to transportation. The cost to park at the medical center is $12 p/day with no in/out privileges. Many patients come for treatment daily, weekly, and it can continue for months to even years. Sure, there is the public transportation system but children should not ride in an immunocompromised state. Lastly, there is the Medicaid transportation system but are sometimes unreliable and do not allow for siblings to ride. After seeing the above-mentioned issues coupled with a patient that I absolutely adored telling me “it would be cool to ride in a fast car like a Lamborghini because my dad has a truck” the concept of DREAM RYDES came alive. I contacted a friend who was more than willing to take him for a ride in the requested “Red Lamborghini”. I witnessed first-hand the sparkle in his eyes, as this was one of the last times I spent with him and I was able to make his DREAM a reality.
DREAM RYDES is a non-profit organization specifically aiding patients by partnering with local hospitals to provide transportation services to families to ensure the child gets to the caretaking facility for treatment. In addition to hospital transportation services, Dream Rydes partnered with local Houston car clubs and IX Exotics to offer a full-day experience for kids with cancer to choose their “Dream Ryde” (car, boat, or helicopter) coupled with a Houston dream experience. The experience is meant for the entire family to engage in and includes the experience, videography, and photos for the families to cherish for a lifetime.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Find your passion, find your purpose, create a plan, and then pursue your overall dream. As you can tell, my plan did not go according to every little girl’s dreams. So, if things don’t turn out as expected it doesn’t mean you aren’t capable, it just means put more determination into your next move. As Winston Churchill stated, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”. Cease every moment and remember sometimes your weakest moment will allow you to find your purpose that guides you to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: dreamrydes.org
- Phone: 2547609287
- Email: info@dreamrydes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamrydes/?hl=en
Personal: https://www.instagram.com/daniellekj85/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamrydes/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARDayV_tH0R8p6Bw__707i7dzyKPzbo0DcvOqaIVogZYd98PdEAr3jAdnO5yMK6gtKdoh-0Pv2ZWdEEj
Image Credit:
Gladys Alexander Photography
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