Harris nominated as Woman of Year

By Sam Waller

Albany graduate Samantha Harris, a pediatric oncology nurse at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, has been nominated for Tarrant County Woman of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

She is working with other candidates to raise funds for the society. The fundraising effort runs through June 10.

“Multiple people are nominated for this recognition,” Harris said. “At the end of the 10 weeks, whoever has raised the most money is the Woman or Man of the Year. It’s a way that we can make a difference.”

Harris was diagnosed with leukemia at age 4 and underwent three years of treatment before being declared cancer-free when she was 7.

“This is an opportunity for me to help other people,” she said. “I think a world without blood cancers is the best world we could hope for.”

Harris said the campaign helps fund research for developing new drugs as well as providing financial help to families.

“Because my own family went through that, it’s near to my heart,” she said. “It’s not easy to take your family to cancer treatment and deal with all the bills that have to be paid.”

To contribute to Harris’ campaign, visit https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/ntx/fwtx22/sharris. There is a link on her Facebook page.