Meet Lauren Daniels of Happily Ever After League (HEAL) and Tiny Life Changes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Daniels.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In November of 2003 at the age of 35, I received an unfortunate diagnosis of breast cancer when my three children ranged in age from 1 to 11. I had three surgeries in a four-month time span and thanks to an amazing support system, loving husband and dedicated family, I was able to get through a very difficult time feeling very blessed.

Six months after my breast cancer diagnosis I decided I wanted to take my experience and turn it into a positive by supporting other mothers that were diagnosed with cancer and I founded the Happily Ever After League. With the support of friends and family,’we were able to have our first Charity Auction and Dinner on the one year anniversary of my diagnosis. We raised $50,000 to begin HEAL and we were able to provide financial grants to moms that helped pay for medical bills, copayments and medications. The organization began supporting an average of 80 mothers per year…

In 2007 we opened our HEALing House to be of ongoing social and emotional support to our moms and their families. The HEALing House offers a food pantry, back to school and holiday outreach as additional layers of support. Each year the programs at the HEALing House serve 1500 people and enhance the quality of life for families dealing with the challenges of cancer. We often say our volunteers get back just as much as the families we serve.

After supporting over 1,000 mothers from founding HEAL, I became a certified Life Coach and coauthored the Amazon best-selling book, Tiny Life Changes with my sister Lisa King who is a Pharmacist of 30 years. Through our work and life experiences, we have learned that the best way to get through a challenging situation or to your goal is by reframing your thoughts and taking one step and one day at a time.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a breast cancer survivor, doing this work for moms with a cancer diagnosis often hits a bit too close to home. If we lose one of our moms on occasion it is just so devastating because we have now got to know and love them and their family. It just really never gets any easier.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Happily Ever After League (HEAL) and Tiny Life Changes (book) – what should we know?
We wanted to fill a void at HEAL and support moms whether single or married during the time of their most immediate need. The only requirement we have is that the mom is in active cancer treatment when referred to us and must have at least one dependent child living in the home.

We pride ourselves in never turning away a mom in need since we started in 2004. We know the amount of the grant we offer may not solve all of the mom’s financial concerns but we know that sometimes being a yes in a world of no’s may provide hope during a dark time which is priceless.

Our HEALing House has provided a community for these families to belong and makes happy memories in spite of a cancer diagnosis. Our recipients often refer to each other as their HEAL Family. I think this is what I am most proud of.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
We always have been willing to change and adjust our programs to best fit the needs of the moms we serve. We always keep our focus on how to best serve the cancer community. We love how we have grown and evolved, even welcoming our Emotional Support Director, Lord Hamilton, a mini pig whose only job is to bring smiles to our families.

We also always have fundraising events that are fun and unique like our HEELS for HEAL Walk and our Fairytale Tea.

Contact Info:

• Address: 11445 E Via Linda # 2-493 Scottsdale, AZ 85259
• Website: Happilyeverafterleague.org
• Phone: 480-275-0613
• Email: communication@happilyeverafterleague.org
• Instagram: Happily Ever After League
• Facebook: Happily Ever After League
• Twitter: Happily Ever After League
• Yelp: Happily Ever After League
• Other: Happily Ever After League

Image Credit:
Colleen Katz-Pictures in Pixels

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