improving the lives of children through the art of storytelling

Meet Hayley and Justin

Hayley and Justin Dickens were no strangers to loss before childhood cancer struck their family. Despite this, they were still trying to live a normal life with their two beautiful daughters when their oldest daughter Kallie was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer. They found themselves with an overflow of emotions that would find their way out through writing. They started a Facebook page for Kallie called The Optimistic Angel to document her cancer journey and these emotions. This page is what inspired them to ultimately write a book about their family's love (and grief) story.

Hayley and Justin currently live with Kallie's little sister Kora in Loranger, Louisiana. In their spare time they enjoy family dinner dates, taking trips, and working out. When they're not working, they're hard at work keeping Kallie's legacy alive. Stay tuned to find out more about how they plan to keep shining some Kallie Sunshine. Her light was too bright not to share.

​

Their book The Optimistic Angel shares their family's fight against Kallie's cancer and the horror of her loss. Later, Haley wrote a children's book with a companion coloring book to honor Kallie - Kalliegator and the Magic of Kindness.