Hannah Levine with State Rep. Matt Beaton and State Sen. Michael Moore after winning her Outstanding Youth of Shrewsbury award.
Photo credit: Lindsay Corcoran

SHREWSBURY, Mass. – Shrewsbury High School Senior Hannah Levine has devoted her life to cancer causes after surviving the disease when in middle school.

Levine was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma prior to entering the seventh grade. She's now cancer free, but the experience changed her life.

For her work with Camp Sunshine, the 15-40 Connection and more, Levine was honored by Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services with their Outstanding Youth of Shrewsbury award this past weekend.

Levine recalls that she acted as her own advocate when she was first diagnosed, by being in tune with her own body.

"I first found a lump in my neck, that was about pea-sized," Levine said. She remembers that when it grew to almost golf ball-sized, she went to the doctor.

After having 14 lumps removed from her neck and going through eight rounds of chemotherapy, Levine recalls losing her hair and gaining 20 lbs.

"It's so important to know your body," Levine said of the lesson she learned from her disease. "When something isn't your normal, you should get it checked out."

Levine volunteered at "Camp Sunshine," a specialized camp for children and families suffering from life-threatening illnesses, in Maine last summer.

"I know what the kids are going through," Levine said. "I wish I had gone. At the same time, it was kind of hard to go through it all again."

Levine also works as a spokesperson for 15-40, talking about her own experiences. Since she is one of their younger spokespeople, she can often connect better with college or high school students.

"I participate in a lot of talks to tell people my story," Levine said. "I like to help connect with and get my point across to the audience."

This year, Levine is also starting at Relay for Life team "Lots of Love," with the help of her high school tennis team.

Levine plans to continue her work with cancer awareness causes and plans to go to college for animal science and find a way to work with animals and children with life-threatening illnesses.

She also plans to volunteer at Camp Sunshine again and continue her work with 15-40.

"It is so important to get involved in the community," Levine said. "We should all give back to the community that has given so much to us."