It’s a long way from a battle with cancer at age 5 to Homecoming Queen at the University of Alabama. That is the journey made by Hannah Adams of Birmingham.
Hannah was announced at the Friday night Homecoming Pep Rally as the Capstone’s new Homecoming Queen. She will be crowned at halftime of the Alabama v. Missouri homecoming football game.
Adams is a senior with a double major of public relations and political science. She is in the very first class of ‘Shelby Scholars,’ an innovative leadership training started by retired U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and headed by former UA trustee Finis St. John.
Adams is already using those leadership skills with the non-profit she and family started to assist kids with cancer and their families.
She was diagnosed with Stage 3 Nephroblastoma. A grapefruit-sized tumor was found on her left kidney. She underwent radiation, 28 weeks of chemotherapy, two blood transfusions, and an eight-hour surgery to remove her tumorous left kidney.
Hannah was blessedly diagnosed as cancer-free and remains cancer-free.
“Over the past three years as a student, I have developed a deep love and appreciation for The University of Alabama. From pursuing dual degrees, running my own non-profit and collaborating with various university organizations, my hope is to connect with all students and inspire them to have hearts of service,” Adams said.
People think of cancer as targeting adults. Hannah and family know all too well that 400,00 kids a year battle cancer. They are taking the lead in awareness and resources for those cancer-fighting families. You can support that cause at https://www.
The author, Jim Zig Zeigler, is retired State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. He was President of the Student Government Association of the University of Alabama and crowned the 1970 Homecoming Queen.
