SRQ Magazine | May/June 2024: Giving Coast Donors' Giving Guide - Blaze of Hope

DONORS' GUIDE TO GIVING

SARASOTA+MANATEE

SRQ Magazine | May/June 2024

Blaze of Hope

BLAZE OF HOPE IS DEDICATED TO ASSISTING FAMILIES FACING ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DAUNTING CHALLENGES: CHILDHOOD CANCER. Founded by the resilient and compassionate Lisa Moore, Blaze of Hope was born out of a personal tragedy that transformed into a relentless mission to offer a helping hand to families navigating life-threatening childhood illnesses. Lisa's journey began with her son Blaze, a brave soul who battled liver cancer until he sadly passed away at just thirteen months. This experience inspired Lisa to the creation of Blaze of Hope, ensuring that other families enduring similar battles would not have to face them alone.

OUR MISSION IS TO ALLEVIATE FAMILIES' FINANCIAL BURDENS. Through our financial assistance program, we provide support for everyday expenses such as car payments, rent, and utilities, allowing families to concentrate on their children’s health and healing. This embodies our belief that a little bit of hope goes a long way.

2023 MARKED A YEAR OF SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS FOR BLAZE OF HOPE. We were honored to receive five proclamations from St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Pensacola, Manatee County, and from the Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis. These proclamations officially recognize September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and commend Blaze of Hope for its continuous dedication to its cause.

ADDITIONALLY, IN A REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATION OF SOLIDARITY, BLAZE OF HOPE ORCHESTRATED AN AWE-INSPIRING CAMPAIGN to light gold 75 landmarks across the globe throughout September. From bridges and towers to sculptures and iconic structures, these illuminations served as a beacon of hope. The campaign spanned from City Hall in Tallahassee, FL, to the Joondalup Drive Bridge in Western Australia, leading to a dazzling Blaze of Hope billboard in New York City's Times Square. This milestone not only highlighted our commitment but also rallied global support for the fight against childhood cancer.

BLAZE OF HOPE'S JOURNEY IS A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF COMMUNITY, COMPASSION, AND THE UNWAVERING HUMAN SPIRIT. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can “spread hope like wildfire.”

Our Wish List

Our army of volunteers remains the heartbeat of our organization. Their dedication to raising awareness, fostering community, and supporting our numerous events and fundraisers is invaluable. As Blaze of Hope continues to expand, we invite you to join us in our mission to spread hope and make a difference in the lives of families facing childhood cancer.

Introducing "Plates of Hope"

Our mission is to convert our vintage Sarasota County bus into a mobile kitchen serving both families with hospitalized children and the wider community. Our goal is $100,000 to transform this bus into a culinary hub for healthy meals, emergency relief, and community support, including a rentable space for local culinary efforts. This project is more than a meal service—it's a lifeline and a beacon of hope, "One plate at a time."

BLAZE OF HOPE | 941.232.4568 | BLAZEOFHOPE.ORG | @BLAZEOFHOPE | BLAZEOFHOPESRQ@GMAIL.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/BLAZEOFHOPE