MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) — At age 10, Chelsea Harkness learned she had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.<\/p>\n
“My life changed completely in that moment of diagnosis,” Harkness said.<\/p>\n
For the next two and a half years, Harkness underwent chemotherapy at Valley Children’s Hospital, a period that reshaped her childhood as she navigated intense medical treatment.<\/p>\n
“I would lose all my hair,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to go to school; I would be homeschooled. I couldn’t play the sports I wanted to play. I couldn’t see my friends as often because I had a low immune system.”<\/p>\n
During that time, Harkness said her care team became a source of light and stability, supporting her through the uncertainty of treatment.<\/p>\n
“They helped shape who I am today,” she said. “I loved my doctors, nurses and everyone that took care of me, everyone that I interacted here with at the hospital.”<\/p>\n
Years later, Harkness has returned to Valley Children’s in a new role, one she describes as a full-circle moment.<\/p>\n
In 2024, she became the manager of George’s Idea Lab, where she works with health care professionals to identify challenges related to medical devices or procedures and explore potential improvements.<\/p>\n
“Even the smallest things can make the biggest impact,” Harkness said. “If there’s something that can make a procedure a little quicker, hurt a little less or get them home to their family, their beds, their pets a little sooner, then that’s a really big deal.”<\/p>\n
Harkness said the work continues to inspire her, motivated by her own experience as a patient and the care she received.<\/p>\n
“There are so many kids who are on their journey today,” she said. “If I can play a small part of their greater team to help them along in their journey and make it better in any way, I’m grateful to be a part of that.”<\/p>\n
For news updates, follow Ana Torrea on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n
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