How Hunter & Maddie Turned Hope Into Action

Inspired living for herself, her family, her patients – for all

Each of us knows someone with cancer; many of us have our own diagnosis. But few of us have experienced this disease as a patient, the mother of a patient, and a trained healthcare professional.

“I never set out to be an inspiration,” says Hunter Bouchard. And yet, to everyone who knows her, she is. Hunter’s deep sense of calm, rooted in acceptance, is palpable. It’s clear she has something very special to offer, and she is generous with her gifts.

Hunter is an oncology infusion nurse at the Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center, in Guilford and New Haven. She began her work at Yale as an oncology nurse in 2016 after two years as a labor and delivery nurse. Together with her husband Mike, an engineer, she is raising her son, Gordie, a second grader, and daughter, Maddie, a healthy kindergartener. They enjoy traveling and spending time together outdoors. But there is nothing typical about this family!

“I don’t know that I’ll ever say I’m grateful for our experience, but it’s definitely changed our outlook – we don’t waste time! We go for it. We do what’s important to us. If our story can help remind others to keep going, I’m grateful for that.”

Hunter’s cancer story began in 2021 when Maddie was 18 months old. For six weeks, she couldn’t seem to shake virus after virus; then one night Hunter noticed Maddie’s abdomen looked and felt unusually firm. Her experience as a nurse told her something was wrong, and blood work at the emergency room confirmed the worst: Maddie needed three blood transfusions and was diagnosed with Acute B-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia the next day.

“I never questioned that Maddie would receive treatment at Smilow; I knew first-hand the expertise and compassion she would receive, because her caregivers were my colleagues. I trusted them completely.”

In the two years that followed, Hunter often brought Gordie to Maddie’s chemo appointments; Gordie still talks about when his little sister had no hair. But at the time, Hunter recalls that he wasn’t afraid. She and Mike followed guidance from Child Life specialists on talking to their son about Maddie’s cancer in age-appropriate ways – one of the many ways Smilow cares for the whole family.

About a year into Maddie’s treatment, Hunter’s family, friends, and co-workers formed a team for the Closer to Free Ride, raising $27,000 to support cancer care and research at Smilow.

But shortly after her second ride, just three months shy of Maddie’s final chemotherapy treatment, Hunter talked with her doctor about what felt like a persistent sore muscle in her chest. After a mammogram, Hunter was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Once again, she placed her trust in colleagues at Smilow. She had surgery, then just six days after Maddie’s final infusion, Hunter had her first. Chemotherapy was followed by six weeks of radiation and nine more months of targeted therapy. Her treatment and close monitoring continue today, and will for years to come.

When it came time for the Closer to Free Ride in 2024, a few months after completing radiation, Hunter rode her third ride, this time as a survivor, as well as the mother of a survivor. “It felt like some sort of redemption, that I could still do things that meant so much to me. I’m filled with appreciation for Smilow and for the professional, caring and thorough treatment Maddie and I have received.”

Incredibly, in early 2025, Hunter stared down cancer yet again when a freckle on her leg turned out to be melanoma. Thanks to her diligence, doctors at Smilow caught and removed it early, and no further treatment is required. The same year, Hunter completed her fourth Closer to Free Ride, raising over $67,000 in four years.

When friends ask how she does it, Hunter offers a simple reply, “We do our best; we put one foot in front of the other. We go to work and to school. We just keep going.”

Hunter’s practical and positive approach, coupled with her commitment to making a difference for other cancer patients through fundraising and her chosen profession, earned her the 2025 Mark Reitsma Courage Award presented at last year’s Closer to Free Ride, an experience Hunter describes as humbling.

“When we were in the middle of everything, I didn’t feel brave or courageous. But in retrospect, I see that our situation was unique. I didn’t get stuck in anger. Eventually I found acceptance, and that helped me move forward. I’ve been asked to share my story with families at Smilow, and sometimes I share with my patients too. It seems to help, and I’m happy to do it. I really believe your mental attitude makes a big difference.”

What’s next for Hunter? Perhaps a move to pediatric oncology at some point; perhaps not. She’ll know when the time is right. In the meantime, she’ll keep supporting her family, her patients, and thousands of survivors and loved ones through the Closer to Free Ride. “I know how important research is to find new treatments for all types of cancer. That’s one of the reasons I ride. Please consider giving, or riding. It means more than you know.”