Roanne Barnes Hautapu

Roanne Barnes Hautapu is a self taught wordsmith, who lives with her family in New Zealand. She writes with rawness and poignancy, and a smattering of humor, about the reality of child cancer and the late effects, the importance of self-care as a parent, physical disability, and the darkness of depression. Both of her children have endured years of chronic medical issues and hospitalizations. Her daughter, Quinn, was diagnosed in 2013 with a rare brain cancer called a Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET), and her son, Fletcher, has anaphylactic allergies and eczema. Roanne and her family are passionate advocates for Ronald McDonald House Charities where they have had the privilege of staying for over 400 nights. Roanne has spoken at several events including national conferences for both the New Zealand Blood Service and Psychosocial Oncology New Zealand, as well as several Ronald McDonald House Charities fundraisers. You can follow Quinns medical journey on https://www.facebook.com/QuinnsQuest/