HOPE DISCOVERED IN THE New organization was formed to support students coping with family illnesses. Harding was considered a community of mission; for a few students, that meant having a group to lean on during a time that felt lonely and isolating. In fall 2018, founding member of HU Valley senior Hayley Ford visited President Bruce McLarty's office to share the news she had discovered in July: her mother had been diagnosed with cage four breast cancer that had metastasized in her skeletal syscem. While this diagnosis discouraged Ford, she looked for ways to use this situation for good. "I knew I wanted to use this situation to be a light for the kingdom and to reach out to others, but I wasn't sure, practically, what that would look like on campus," Fo.rd said. Afcer hearing Ford's story, McLartysuggested Ford create a support group for students going through similar experiences of having a parent who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The name "HU Valley" was chosen to represent the organization in order to convey the gravity of each student's situation while simulcaneously focusing on hope for the future. In the meeting with Ford, McLartyrecommended Dr. SherryPollard, professor of marriage and family therapy, as a group sponsor because of her per onal background and professional training in counseling. Pollard agreed to be part of the organization in any capacity she was needed. As a sponsor for HU Valley, Pollard's role was constantly evolving. In a therapy group, she led conversations and guided students toward healing, but, for a support group, her role was different. Pollard served as a resource, support and facilitator for members of HU Valley. Pollard described the potential benefit for members of the group. "Many people find it very therapeutic just to talk about it out loud wich people who are concerned and/or know something about whac you're dealing with," Pollard said. Pollard expressed her desire for the group co renew and uplifc che members who joined. In her opinion, hope was the most crucial part of the fight with cancer. "When a person loses hope, whether you are the actual patient or the family member of a patient, the battle is close to being lost," Pollard said. According to founding member junior Ally Bateman, at its core, HU Valley was meant to be a place where students could find that strength and hope in community. After Bateman's facher was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, she felt as though she was completely alone. Her desire for the group was for students whose parents were battling serious illnesses to escape that feeling of isolation and to grow spiritually while they walked chrough this trial. "I feel like the best time to grow is when you're going through somethinghard, and I think I've seen that more going through this than ever" Bateman said. This idea was where the group's theme came from: "bloom where you're planted." HU Valley was a place for students co experience struggles and learn to cultivate relationships with others in times when community was difficult to find. story by Madison Ramsey Founding members of HU Valley senior Hayley Ford andjunior Ally Bateman discuss plans for the new organization at Kibo Midnight Oil coffeehouse on Oct. 16, 2018. Ford and Bateman dreamed of the idea of HU Valley as a wayfor students to find community when feeling a sense .ofloneliness. I photo by Lindsey Webb 281 I TUDE T UPPORT
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