FOUNDER’S STORY

Hi, I'm Ayana Banks, a 16-year-old currently navigating 11th grade at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. A decade ago, my childhood took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with childhood cancer at the age of 6. After persevering through treatment and experiencing a brief period of remission, I relapsed and underwent treatment once again. It wasn't until March 2021 that I was officially declared cancer-free!During those challenging years spent mostly at CHOP, as both an inpatient and outpatient, I frequently faced the same question. Adults would often ask the 'What do you want to be when you grow up' question, perhaps as a well-intentioned distraction from the harsh reality of being in the hospital for so long. Their job suggestions ranged from astronauts to doctors, but my response was always a hesitant 'I dunno,' effectively closing the conversation. It seems I can't get through at least one year without that question being asked. Fast forward to my middle school years, where I was still figuring out what I wanted to be, as middle school is the time for that. My answer remained the same throughout all of middle school until my 8th-grade year. Now, instead of not knowing what I wanted to be, I was 50% sure I wanted to be an entrepreneur, even though I didn't know what I would do. But now, the 'what do you want to be' question finally had an answer! However, it wasn't until the end of 9th grade that I realized I had lost sight of who I was. A person I went to school with but didn't know brought up my past in a negative light, causing some upset and hurt. But, it ultimately served as a crucial reminder of my journey's significance. Embracing my past, I decided that as a growing entrepreneur, I wanted to support kids facing struggles similar to mine. Hence, The Sweet Dream Project was born—a non-profit organization aiming to create personal connections with kids, transforming their hospital rooms into dreamlike spaces filled with lights, posters, blankets, and all the comforts they deserve. I want to ensure every child has a childhood free from shame or setbacks, and that they can have sweet dreams every night.