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 THE GIRL WHO CARRIES HOPE A Story of Courage Born From Loss Exclusive Interview with Addi Fraizer Featured in 'Innerviews' Hosted by Allié McGuire Some stories don’t begin with purpose. They begin with loss, with questions too big for a child to carry and grief that quietly grows alongside them. When Addison Fraizer lost her mother to metastatic breast cancer at just six years old, it was not the end of her story. It was the beginning of a life shaped by love remembered, pain transformed, and courage learned over time. This is the story of a young woman learning who she is by honoring who she lost, and choosing purpose not despite her grief, but because of it. ALLIÉ: Let’s go ahead and go back a bit, and just get right into it, because when it comes to cancer, Addie, your advocacy work didn’t begin with an idea. It began with a loss that no child should ever have to carry. When you think back to losing your mom so young, what do you remember about that time? What were you thinking? What were you feeling about the moment you realized that her story would one day be part of your purpose? Bring us back. ADDI: So when she first got diagnosed, she was pregnant with me. My name is Alison Hope Fraizer. My middle name is Hope because she used it as a way to show that I gave her hope throughout her cancer journey. So I kind of carried that name throughout my whole life. But once I could finally start understanding what was happening, I was four when she passed away. I grew up pretty quickly. Explaining everything that was going on and helping my dad through things definitely helped me gain empathy and an understanding of cancer. At first, obviously, I went through the pain and sadness of not being able to have a mom there anymore. My dad did remarry shortly after, and my stepmom is a wonderful human. She has helped me in so many ways, which is also part of the reason I want to start a support group for these children. She showed me that you need somebody there for you. I was put into some therapies that were a little bit difficult because, as a child, you don’t really understand what’s going on. But as I got older and started understanding my situation more, it set in that losing a parent that young causes so many life-changing emotions and things you have to deal with. I’ve developed a lot of separation anxiety because of it, and there are just so many things that have grown from that. ALLIÉ: So let’s talk about grief. It’s something that doesn’t stay the same, as you well know. It grows and changes just as we do. As you moved from childhood into your teenage years, how did that grief evolve for you? How did it shape the way you see yourself, your strength, and the world around you? ADDI: It really started off when I was younger as a lot of sadness, and also guilt. Her finding out she had cancer right after she found out she was pregnant with me caused a lot of guilt when I was younger. Your hormones change when you’re pregnant, and she couldn’t go through chemo right away because she was pregnant with me. There were so many things that could have been different. So when I was younger, there was a lot of guilt. But as I’ve gotten older and been able to learn more about breast cancer and talk with more people, that guilt has been lifted. The sadness is obviously still there. At every birthday party, I realize my mom isn’t there, or at least the mom I had originally. My mom now is fantastic, but there are still so many things that remind you of that sadness. That sadness has been shaped into a way I can help other people, and that’s my favorite thing. I love talking with people, and I love being able to help people grow.  ALLIÉ: I love that you’ve been able to make that shift, turning guilt and grief into something that can be of service. There’s something really powerful when that shift happens, when your pain becomes fuel for your purpose. Was there a turning point for you? A moment when you realized, “This is it. I want to raise awareness, advocate, and make sure other families and other kids don’t have to feel what I felt”? ADDI: Yes. As of May, I work for a breast cancer foundation called Pink Ribbon Good. My family was their first Columbus client, and now they run in eight different cities. I’m now interning with them, and I got to speak at their biggest event about my story. I also help with their marketing. I’ve been able to hear so many people’s stories from so many different perspectives. That’s when I realized my story can actually help people. I don’t have to deal with this alone anymore. I can find people my age, or people around me, to talk with about it. It’s different talking with adults, even if they’ve gone through something similar, because it’s not the same age group. ALLIÉ: And your story brings value on both sides, to younger people and older people alike. You’re in your senior year of high school, navigating what every young person navigates, and then some. What has this journey taught you about courage and about the kind of woman you’re becoming? ADDI: When I was younger, I was taught to take initiative and be a leader. I needed to be a maternal figure for my brother and a best friend to my dad, helping everyone in my family. My grandmas tried their best, but it’s hard when you’re older and suddenly responsible for so much. Working at Pink Ribbon Good has allowed me to talk to so many people, and I’ve gained so much courage through those conversations. I’m not scared to talk to anyone anymore. At first, I was fearful talking to younger people because I didn’t want to hurt their feelings or step into something I shouldn’t. But I’ve learned that’s what people need sometimes. They need a little push and a safe space to openly talk about their feelings. I’ve gained a lot of courage and strength through this entire journey.  ALLIÉ: It shows. That smile says exactly that. My cheeks are hurting just watching you smile and show up so fully in this conversation. One more question for you today, Addie. If your mom were here right now, watching you honor her and carry her story forward, what do you think she’d want to say to you? ADDI: I think she would probably say that everything happens for a reason. She was very Christian, and her faith has shaped mine. I wouldn’t be the same person if she were still here, which is hard and crazy to think about, but it’s an essential part of my story. If she hadn’t passed away and gone through everything she did, I wouldn’t be where I am. I wouldn’t be the leader I am, and I wouldn’t be able to help as many people as I’m trying to help. I think she would encourage me that no matter the setback, everything will be okay, and I’ll figure it out. I’m continuing to write my story, and I think she would be very, very proud of me. ALLIÉ: I agree. ∎
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