Editor in chief gets surprise after beating cancer

Editor in chief Haley Galvin signs the Nik’s Wish lamp after receiving a surprise gift for beating ovarian cancer.

By Kurt Bitting
January 29, 2021

DeKalb — Editor in chief Haley Galvin received a special surprise from a non-profit group Friday after beating ovarian cancer.

Haley has been cancer-free since December, spending her 22nd birthday at her sixth and final chemotherapy session.

Haley arrived at the Northern Star’s office in the Campus Life Building, 545 Lucinda Ave., at about 3 p.m. Friday for a meeting. However, when Haley looked out the office window, she saw her family and an enormous yellow lamp with “Nik’s Wish” painted on its side.

Then she knew her wish was coming true.

Nikolas Ritschel Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants wishes for 18- to 24-year-olds fighting cancer who are too old to receive support from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, according to the foundation’s website.

Founder Kelli Ritschel Boehle reached out to Haley through Facebook to let her know about the foundation and help Haley apply for a wish. The foundation then contacted NIU to plan a surprise for Haley.

Haley wished for a puppy, and because she had to wait to adopt her puppy, the foundation surprised Haley with a gift basket filled with pet supplies.

Haley said she was very surprised and that she was thankful she got to have this opportunity.

“It means the world to me, and I can’t even explain how grateful I am to everyone who made [my wish] happen,” Haley said.

Haley said going through ovarian cancer has taught her she’s stronger than she thinks and never alone. She said she learned who her support system was.

Haley said being a student while going through chemotherapy was incredibly hard, but it also allowed her to escape her worries and focus on something she cared about.

“[My experience] has taught me that I’m a lot stronger than I think I am,” Haley said. “When you need to be a fighter, you become that fighter.”

Haley said she wished for a puppy because she isn’t able to have children. Haley said her Bedlington terrier puppy, who she’ll name Harley, will be like her own little fur baby.

Haley will get to select her puppy Feb. 6 from Cedar Creek Pet Resort, 3473 State Road, Jackson, Wisconsin.

To submit a Nik’s Wish application, please visit nikolasritschelfoundation.org.