Joy Clausen graduated magna cum laude, from Chaminade University with a B.A. in Psychology. She obtained her degree in only two and a half years. She then went on to the University of Chicago to obtain her master's degree in the Social Sciences. In 2001 Joy attended Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara to become a filmmaker, two months after her first class she was diagnosed with cancer. She decided to film her journey in order to help other young people faced with a life threatening disease. At the end of her chemotherapy treatments Joy was accepted into the prestigious American Film Institute where she learned how to produce films. Joy is currently working with professionals from the International Documentary Association to help her complete the documentary.