Peachtree City leukemia survivor founds nonprofit to keep cancer families from fighting alone

Megan Mulvey was closing mortgage loans and building a reputation as Peachtree City's 'Hats & Homes Girl' when a growth beneath her eye changed everything. A biopsy revealed it was a tumor — and that she had leukemia.

What followed was a year that would test nearly every dimension of a person's life at once. Mulvey underwent 51 rounds of chemotherapy, full-body radiation, and a bone marrow transplant — the donor identified through a registry. She entered remission, according to reports.

But survival, she found, was only part of the story. While she was in treatment, her husband lost his job twice. Bills kept arriving. The financial reality of a serious cancer diagnosis — layered on top of the physical and emotional toll — was its own kind of crisis.

Cancer stripped away my sense of normal and tested me in every way possible—not only physically and emotionally, but also financially. During that time, my husband lost his job twice, bills kept coming, and the reality of how expensive cancer really is hit hard.— Megan Mulvey, founder, Box of Hope

That experience became the foundation for Box of Hope, a nonprofit Mulvey established with a mission to unite the CrossFit community around athletes and families facing cancer. Mulvey, a CrossFit athlete herself, credits her training with helping her endure treatment both physically and mentally — and sees that community as a natural engine for support.

It's about more than money; it's about making sure no one feels alone, unsupported, or financially crushed when they're fighting for their life.— Megan Mulvey, founder, Box of Hope

The nonprofit's work has expanded beyond its CrossFit roots. Box of Hope has aided local families affected by pediatric cancer cases through fundraisers, care packages, and direct financial assistance for bills and expenses. A fundraising event featured drag queen performers, with children in attendance joining in and dancing along.

Mulvey is now back working as a mortgage lender with CrossCountry Mortgage and raising two young children alongside her husband. She is actively working to grow Box of Hope's board and volunteer base. People can get involved by volunteering, sponsoring, donating, or spreading the word through the organization's site.

I've always believed that the hardest chapters in life can be turned into something meaningful, and my journey is proof of that.— Megan Mulvey, founder, Box of Hope

The Citizen named Mulvey its Citizen of the Week.

Why it matters — Box of Hope addresses a gap that affects any family hit by a serious diagnosis — the financial collapse that can accompany a medical crisis — and is actively seeking volunteers and donors in the Peachtree City area.

Reported by thecitizen.com, voyageatl.com, boxofhoperx.org