Get to know the women behind Hope Floats Up
Meet Laura and Jenny, the founders of Hope Floats up.
Laura Craven
In August 2021, My Life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. At 49 years old, I had always been healthy, active, and rarely need to visit the doctor. Admittedly, I was behind on my yearly mammogram, feeling confident I was in the clear. But life had other plans. When my doctor delivered the news, it felt like the ground had been pulled out from beneath me. "Why me?" I thought. In that moment, my world shifted, and everything seemed uncertain. From that day forward, everything moved quickly-consultations, doctor's appointments, and a fast-track path that led to a bilateral mastectomy with partial reconstruction, followed by four rounds of chemotherapy. I often wondered how I would make it through, and where I would find the strength to keep going. My husband Jim and our three wonderful children, Jackson, Ansleigh, and Diana became my rock. Through their unwavering love and support, I discovered a courage I never knew I had. Friends and family rallied around me, stepping in to help and offering encouragement that kept me hopeful on even the darkest days. That support carried me through.
I found myself surrounded by a new community-other women fighting the same battle, each with their own stories of resilience. Survivors who showed up to lift me up, to support me, to send a card encouraging me just when I needed it. My fellow cancer survivor and dear friend and I felt called to help. We want to turn our experience into something meaningful. We started this nonprofit with one goal: to provide the same love, support, and hope to others facing cancer. It's not just about the fight against the disease; it's about showing up for others, lending a listening ear, connecting them with helpful resources, or simply brightening their day with a small act of kindness.
My experience has shown me that hope always finds a way to rise to the top, and no one should ever feel alone in their journey. Through this nonprofit, we are committed to making sure every person who fights cancer feels surrounded by love and encouragement. Because no matter how difficult the path, hope has a remarkable way of keeping us afloat and reminding us we are never alone.
Jenny Edwards
I’m the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to helping women and families affected by breast and reproductive cancers, but my journey to this work was born from my own battle with cancer. At 42, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—a diagnosis that, statistically, should have taken my life. I underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, all while raising three kids and trying to keep life as normal as possible for them. That year was taken from me—physically, emotionally, and mentally—but I fought through it, determined to be there for my family. Nine years later, cancer returned, this time in a different form. I made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy, knowing it was the best chance for my survival. Then, at 52, I was diagnosed with polyps in my uterus, which led to a total hysterectomy. Each diagnosis, each surgery, was another reminder of how fragile life is—but also how strong women can be.
Through all of this, I realized how many women—just like me—are facing these battles without the support or information they need to truly fight. I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and afraid, but I also learned that we are so much stronger when we don’t have to walk this path alone. That’s why, alongside my dear friend and fellow cancer survivor, I founded this nonprofit. We wanted to create a space where women can find education, resources, and a community that understands their struggles and supports them through every step.
The work we do isn’t just about the fight against cancer—it’s about helping women reclaim their strength, their hope, and their voices. It’s about showing them that, no matter what, they don’t have to face these battles alone. Our mission is to be there for every woman who needs us, offering the emotional support and practical tools to help them navigate the hardest moments of their lives. Because, for all the fear and uncertainty, there’s one thing I’ve learned: we are never truly alone in this fight. And together, we are so much stronger.