15th Annual Celebration of Life and Hope Raises $420,000 for Austin Hatcher Foundation
· Gala welcomed 400 supporters in the community to AHF’s Education Advancement Center
· Presented by Textile Rubber and Chemical Company
· Live, silent auction and donations raise hundreds of thousands for crucial services given at no cost to families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Oct. 26, 2022) – The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer hosted its 15th annual Celebration of Life and Hope on Saturday, October 22, 2022. The night was filled with live music, specialty cocktails, family testimonies and auction bidding that raised $420,000 for the foundation to continue to provide no-cost services to families faced with childhood cancer.
With more than 400 individuals in attendance, the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s Education Advancement Center was filled with excitement, community and storytelling as the night focused on the foundation’s mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer. A highlight of the evening was the 2022 foundation honoree family, the Henrys, sharing their story through a feature video of their experience with the Austin Hatcher Foundation after their son Fisher’s cancer diagnosis.
“Austin Hatcher has been a refuge during Fisher’s diagnosis and treatment of Leukemia,” Ben Henry, Fisher’s father. “They have served me and my family in so many different ways. It is a heavenly idea that the Austin Hatcher Foundation approaches the whole family and person in serving those who have a child that is diagnosed with cancer.”
After the video played, the live auction began. Included in the eight live items was the presentation and bid on a special acoustic guitar, a priceless piece put together by the Henry boys themselves. The room erupted into a standing ovation when the guitar sold for $10,000, as every dollar would go back to support the foundation providing ancillary services to families like the Henrys who are faced with the life-changing hardships of a pediatric cancer diagnosis.
With over 250 live and silent auction items up for bid, Celebration of Life and Hope attendees went home with a variety of items, including overseas trips, golf packages, sporting game tickets, beach resort stays, gift cards and more. All auction items were donated prior to the event by individuals and businesses. There are 12 last auction items still up for grabs now on www.CelebrationLH.com until November 8.
“We cannot thank our donors, sponsors and event attendees enough for all they’ve done to help our foundation and put together the most beautiful night,” said Amy Jo Osborn, CEO and co-founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. “We are thankful, honored and grateful for all the support we received on Saturday that rallied our amazing community to help empower the lives of families with pediatric cancer.”
The auction items, combined with ticket sales and sponsorship, raised $420,000 for the foundation on Saturday night. These funds all go toward the foundation providing comprehensive coordinated care to pediatric cancer families. The Austin Hatcher Foundation provided $4.4 million worth of care between January and October 2022, and is looking to expand even more in 2023.
The presenting sponsor for the 15th annual event was Textile Rubber and Chemical Company. The VIP sponsor was First Bank. Platinum sponsors included Guide On Group, HamiCo Inc., U.S. Xpress and Mtn. View Auto Group. All other sponsors can be found at www.CelebrationLH.com.
If you are interested in sponsoring the 2023 Celebration of Life and Hope, or any other upcoming Austin Hatcher events, email melanie@hatcherfoundation.org.
The foundation’s next fundraising event will be the first “Hit it for Hatch” doubles mixer tennis tournament on January 7, 2023, put together by the AHF Teen Ambassador program. More information and registration can be found at https://www.hatcherfoundation.org/hititforhatch.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer for entire families by providing essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of a child’s diagnosis and continuing through survivorship of the whole family. Families of the foundation are provided with services such as Mental and Behavioral Health Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Neuropsychological Testing, Family Programs and more at absolutely no cost to them.
To learn more about the Austin Hatcher Foundation, visit www.HatcherFoundation.org today.
“We love Austin Hatcher and know they love us,” said Ben Henry. “I hate cancer and the pain it causes but I am grateful that Austin Hatcher moves toward those experiencing that brokenness.”
