Austin Hatcher Foundation to Host Night Honoring Lives Lost to Pediatric Cancer
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (July 15, 2022) – The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer is hosting “Honoring the Journey,” a remembrance of life evening on Thursday, September 1, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. “Honoring the Journey” is a special night to honor those who walked the journey of childhood cancer and have passed away. There will be a candle lighting ceremony, live music performed, a special presentation, dinner and desserts. The evening will close with a butterfly release outside.
“The loss of a child may be one of the worst traumas a human being can experience,” said Austin Hatcher Foundation President and CEO Amy Jo Osborn, who lost her first-born, Austin Hatcher Osborn, to a rare form of pediatric cancer in 2006. “When parents lose a child, they're not just losing someone they love, they are also losing the years of promise they had looked forward to. Honoring the Journey is an event to come together as a community to remember, honor, and keep the memory of a child, teen or young adult lost to pediatric cancer alive.”
“Honoring the Journey” is dedicated as a memorable evening held in honor of those who have passed away, specifically from the fight against pediatric cancer. Families who have lost someone to pediatric cancer are encouraged to share their lost loved one’s story and passions during this evening via a special presentation with photos and memories of those lost.
Held on the first evening of September, “Honoring the Journey” is the first night of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and will begin the foundation’s month-long series of shared stories of those facing pediatric cancer. Stories will be shared on the foundation’s social media all month long, at @austinhatcherfo (Instagram).
“Although these children, teens and young adults are no longer on earth, on this special night we smile in remembrance and celebrate the memories together,” said Osborn.
The event will be held at the Foundation’s Education Advancement Center at 1705 S. Holtzclaw Ave in Chattanooga, Tenn. RSVPs for families affected by pediatric cancer are open now at www.hatcherfoundation.org/journey. If your family has a story of a lost loved one to share, or for more information, email foundation Family Services Coordinator Michaela Gaither at michaela@hatcherfoundation.org.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of a child’s diagnosis and continuing through survivorship. Families of the foundation are provided with services such as Mental and Behavioral Health Therapy, Occupational Therapy, NeuroPsych Testing, Family Programs and more at absolutely no cost to them.
To learn more about the Austin Hatcher Foundation, visit www.HatcherFoundation.org today.
