Eliy Simmer

Eliy Simmer – Michigan
Nomination by Joy Simmer
Photography by Capture by Cassie Photography
Issue 63 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination:
Eliy Simmer was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma of the scapula in May 2021 and underwent 14 cycles of chemotherapy and 31 days of proton radiation therapy. Before her diagnosis and treatment, she was a community volunteer, volleyball player and dancer, but now she is an advocate for pediatric cancer warriors and their families.

Now 16 and a survivor, she is helping other teens going through treatment. She has been collecting donations and items and putting together “Eliy’s Sunflowers” teen kits for teens who are going through cancer treatment and collecting donations and supplies for other pediatric cancer families.

Image by Joy Simmer

​What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about pediatric cancer awareness and helping others. Even before my battle with pediatric cancer, I have always enjoyed volunteering my time and being involved in my community. Even during the stressful times, I always try to keep a positive outlook and cheer others up.

What do you want people to know about when you had cancer?
I learned that the friends that are there for you in the beginning may not be the ones there for you at the end. This may hurt along the way, but you realize the people who stuck with you throughout your journey are your true friends and that is what truly matters.

What do you wish people knew about having cancer/being treated for cancer?
A lot of people think that just because treatments are over, that you are done completely. That is not the case… For many of us pediatric cancer warriors, it is a long battle even afterwards. This all depends upon the type of cancer you have/had, you are not considered in remission until you have had clear scans for 5 years. It is a huge adjustment going to your “new normal.” You have to reacclimate with your peers, you have to face anxiety every 3 months when you have rescans. It is even difficult when you have to face the people who you thought would step up when you were faced with one of the most difficult things you have to face in your life and they turned away from you when you needed them the most.

Childhood cancer is not rare, it is common. Not many people realize that. Nobody knows what you are going through and what to expect while going through this type of a journey. But no matter what challenge you face, you can and you will overcome it because you are not alone and it is okay not to be okay.

Photography by Capture by Cassie Photography

​How did you find and why did you choose Capture by Cassie Photography for your photographer?
Cassie actually had reached out to my mom while I was going through treatment because she knew how much I loved sunflowers and she wanted to have a session with me. We went to the local pumpkin patch, The Wild Pumpkin during one of their sunflower days.

What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
Cassie is a local photographer and had spoken with my mom about doing a shoot with me. Just a couple months before my diagnosis we had a photo session with her. Cassie had been messaging back and forth with my mom and she wanted me to have a fun session and feel pampered. By this point, I had already lost my hair I was starting to lose some of the hair of my eyelashes and eyebrows. I was very unsure about how I looked being bald. She asked a local makeup artist to come out and do my makeup.

During and after the session I felt amazing, I felt empowered. That’s when I knew I could definitely rock a bald head and I did!!! One of my favorite things I loved about the session was that it was taken in a field of sunflowers. Sunflowers are not only my favorite flower but they are the sarcoma awareness symbol!!!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I like to think of myself as a worker and an entrepreneur. When I was 10 years old I started doing arts and crafts to raise money. I didn’t really have a specific purpose, I just wanted to make things, make money, and then put it away. I would work on my arts and crafts projects when I was not in school or at dance and I would raise money for different dance trips that I wanted to go on. I attended as many craft shows as I could to save money up. When I started playing volleyball, I was able to use some of the money that I saved to help pay for special training sessions. When I turned 14, I had enough money saved up to buy my own car and I did! I was able to do my drivers training in my own vehicle and I take a lot of pride in it. I feel like you appreciate things a lot more when you work for them!
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What kind of art do you like to create?
I love to draw and love shading with charcoal and pencil. My artwork was like therapy to me while going through chemotherapy. My nurses admired that I could draw things so fast and workers on the floor would stop by to see me and to see what new art pieces I created. I always had a sketch book with me.
I like clay molding too!

This is a picture of a picture I drew while waiting for news on my test results (pre-diagnosis) - Eliy Simmer

​What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to volunteer in my spare time. I was taught that you should be a part of your community and I am. I like to volunteer for programs and events and to be around people, socialize, and be a part of things!!! I also love to volunteer to help animals. Growing up, my mom would help injured and orphaned animals and I would help her take care of them. This is something that was put on hold during my treatment, but I hope that we can do it again now that I have completed treatment and am doing well.

What type of work would you like to be doing with animals now that you are doing well?
We recently got a new addition to the household, a rescue dog. His name is Finn, and I am hoping to train with him and be able to do agility with him. I know now that things have calmed down, my mom will start bringing home more animals to help. :P

What else would you like to talk about?
My hobbies are photography, art, dance, and music. Before my diagnosis, I was passionate about volleyball and dance, but with how fragile my arm is now post treatment, I just focus on other activities that give me joy. I had a lot of time to think about what I value in life and what things I want to do, and I love going to concerts and traveling, so when I finished treatment, I set goals for myself. I was going to experience as many things as I could!!!

Tell us about your photography. What do you like taking pictures of? We would love to see a favorite picture you took!
I really enjoy taking nature photos or trying to recreate some photo ideas that I saw online.

Image taken by Eliy Simmer -Photo I took in my garden

Tell us about your dance career.
I was in dance for 11 years. I started out with ballet and tap, but eventually stuck with tap and musical theater. I was a part of Aspire which was a dance performance group and we also went to competitions. Going and dancing at Disney was a highlight for me.

What is your favorite thing about being a dancer?
With dance I felt like you are able to let out your emotions through movement and I felt like I was a part of the music.

What do you love most about music? Do you play an instrument? Sing?
I feel like I really connect with music. There is a saying, “ I don’t feel the music, the music feels me.”
I play guitar and the ukulele. I am just starting to learn how to play the banjo. I love to sing, but I only sing for myself.

Where has been your favorite place to travel and why?
I think out of all the places that I have traveled; California is my favorite place! Last May, Concerts 4 Cancer and Campaign One at a Time helped me get out to California because I missed seeing my favorite band (Weezer) play while I was in treatment. I also was able to see some of my other favorites while out there and go to the Friends set at Warner Bros.

Where would you most like to go next? Why?
Greece!!! I had saved my money by babysitting, working at the local pizza place, and doing special craft orders to fund a school trip I was supposed to be going on to Greece. I couldn’t go because of my health issues and was bummed out that I had to miss it. I am hoping to go someday!

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be?
The topic that I would discuss and that I feel passionate about, is advocating for pediatric cancer support and research. Only 4% of the federal cancer research budget is allocated to pediatric cancer. The protocols for pediatric cancer have not changed much over the last forty years and this is in part due to the lack of funding available for research. #morethan4 is something that I am very passionate about, and I want to help make a change. By spreading awareness of pediatric cancer, I can hopefully help in the initiative to increase funding for research and patient support.

Image taken by Eliy Simmer

​What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Staying positive through treatment, even during the hard days. Focusing on my art and music helped and having a great support system helped. People who thought would be by your side that may not have been, but there were so many people who came out and were supportive that I didn’t expect.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
One thing that you need to do is take time for yourself and time to heal. Your body needs time to reset.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I would love to be doing something that helps other warriors, whether it is with art or in the medical field, I am not sure…

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Watching Friends on repeat! Lol
Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I can pop my own ears.

3 Things on your bucket list
- Travel to (Greece, Ireland, Bora Bora)
- Meet my celebrity crushes (Noah Schnaap and Christopher Briney)
- Meeting Weezer

Who do you find inspiring?
Jane Marczewski (AKA Nightbirde). She sang “It’s OK” on America’s Got Talent and she had been battling cancer for a long time. She stayed positive through her journey and was such a bright light and talent.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I have a lot of people who tell me that my smile is inspiring.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
July is sarcoma awareness month and my birthday month. My zodiac sign is Cancer. My favorite flower is a sunflower, which is the sarcoma awareness symbol. Ewing Sarcoma Awareness Day is 11/22 and those are also my volleyball numbers.

Look for Eily in issue 64 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 63

click here to nominate an inspiring teen