Hope for the Heart, a foundation which provides support to local childhood cancer patients, awarded their first Hope Scholarship to a childhood cancer survivor from Brown County. The scholarship for $1000 was presented recently to 5 year cancer survivor Abby Hubbard, a 2015 graduate of Brownwood High School.
“We excited to send her on her way (to college) with a little bit of money and a lot of love and prayers,” said HFTH board member Sandra Richardson.
Hope From the Heart is a local foundation created with a goal to provide support and funds to families battling childhood cancer in Brown County. The foundation’s mission is to raise awareness about childhood cancer and the fact that it is not as rare the public once perceived.
“Families in Brown County and surrounding small counties face several challenges in caring for a child who has been diagnosed with the disease—travel, loss of time from work, managing the needs of other siblings, and providing medical care to their child undergoing treatment can be devastating financially, mentally, and physically to all members of the family,” explained Richardson.
While Hope From the Heart is still growing as an organization, celebrating 4 years of service this September, the foundation’s board members have been working hard to raise money to assist these families in any way they can.
“Community support has been wonderful, and we have many ideas planned to continue to raise funds and awareness during the month of September (National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) including a ‘Go Bold, Go Gold!’ Brownwood Lion varsity football game on Friday, September 11th against Liberty Hill,” said Richardson. She explained that the football players, Lionettes, Band, Crew, and Cheerleaders will all be wearing gold to show their support. The Lionettes will be passing the boot to kick childhood cancer during the game. This year, the BHS varsity volleyball team will be joining in with a “Go Bold, Go Gold!” game as well, the date has not been determined but will be during a home game in September.
This year, 3 new childhood cancer warriors were added to HFTH’s list. Two are 19 years old and one is 2 years old, according to Richardson. They are all actively in treatment at this time.
“We want to be able to help them as much as possible, so we hope that our community will join together to help us by participating in the Gold Game activities and/or buying our Gold Game t-shirt which will be released to order next week,” said Richardson.
Those interested in making a donation directly to Hope From the Heart, may contact board members through the organization’s Facebook page Hope From the Heart, Brown County or email hopebrowncounty@gmail.com.
