The Founder

Brooklyn Kelley, a Houston native, is an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Radio-Television-Film with a minor in Entrepreneurship. As an aspiring producer in the film and television industry, she works diligently towards bridging the gap between minority presence in the industry and the accurate representation of people of color.

As a passionate health advocate, Brooklyn draws from her own experiences with health challenges and her family's extensive history of various illnesses to support those who are facing similar challenges. 

As a firm believer in patient advocacy, Brooklyn understands the frustration of being dismissed and unheard when facing significant health concerns. She is dedicated to ensuring that every voice is valued and hopes to inspire positive change in her career, community, and beyond.

The Haven of Hope was developed as a forum of resources for pancreatic cancer patients and their families as a Girl Scout Gold Award Project. As an extension of this project, Nellie's Haven of Hope was born!

At the age of 13, I witnessed my Grandmother complete her battle with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011, she fought a fight that only the toughest can endure. As a breast cancer survivor, she was no stranger to the wicked reality of the devastating disease. Being so young and lacking knowledge and understanding of what was attacking her body, I always had faith that she would recover. She weathered the storm, went into remission, and unfortunately became gravely ill upon the return of the disease. At her demise the cancer had become metastatic to her liver, proving the heartbreaking survival rates of the disease to be true. 

Lord knows how much I miss her. Cancer may evoke the darkest of times in the lives of those battling the disease. Cancer may stop the world around you in its tracks. A cancer diagnosis may feel like the weight of the world on your shoulders. But one thing I know to be certain is that it cannot erase love or memories. Grandmothers are God's greatest gift to the world and I look forward to the day that I get to embrace my grandmother once more in the realms of heaven's gates. Until then, I hope that my efforts through this project are of value and show my sincerest belief that one day we will find a cure to end a disease that has ended far too many lives.

It brings my heart much joy to know there is someone in the world who will benefit from my efforts to make a difference and leave a lasting impact. I am eternally grateful for your support.