By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A mother-daughter duo from Durham, Heather and Harper Hindin, is turning a challenging childhood cancer journey into a supportive initiative to help other families during treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center.
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The journey began in 2021 when Heather noticed concerning results from an extensive blood test shortly after Harper celebrated her 8th birthday.
“I saw all of the red flags, and I knew well enough to interpret that something was very wrong,” said Heather.
The following day, their worst fears were confirmed: Harper was diagnosed with Leukemia.
As they navigated the treatment process, Heather recalled an emotional moment with Harper.
“Harper was sitting in my lap, facing away from me, asking very sad questions, ‘Am I going to lose my hair?’ ‘Am I going to die?”
The weight of these questions was heavy, overshadowing their lives with fear and uncertainty.
After two years and four months of chemotherapy and medication, Harper is now a survivor, having recently reached the two-year mark off treatment.
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“I never had curly hair, and I do now,” Harper joyfully noted, reflecting on the changes she experienced during her treatment.
With life returning to a sense of normalcy, Heather and Harper felt compelled to support others facing similar battles. They recalled meeting numerous families who traveled from out of state and even across borders for treatment at Duke.
“We realized we had to do something; we had enough land to, and that’s how Harper’s Home came about,” Heather explained.
Currently, they have two homes that will soon open to families seeking treatment. Set to launch in September 2025, Harper’s Home has already served four families, providing over 300 nights of free housing. Community support has been crucial, helping furnish the homes and create welcoming spaces for those in need.
Harper described Harper’s Home as a nonprofit dedicated to providing families with a “home away from home,” so they don’t have to worry about where to stay during treatment. The organization has ambitious plans in the works, including building four additional cottages, with one already funded thanks to an anonymous donor.
“I think through a difficult period of time we found our purpose,” Heather shared. “To find and fulfill purpose is such a gift.”
As their initiative grows, Heather and Harper continue to embody the spirit of giving back, proving that even in challenging times, compassion and community can pave the way for healing.
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For more information or to support Harper’s Home, please visit here.