Light Up The Lake provides hope to cancer fighters, survivors
Photo: DeSoto Hope’s Ashleigh Parker and Tracy Gallagher in front of a photo of cancer survivors at last year’s Light Up The Lake. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
When people come to the DeSoto Hope’s Light Up The Lake event on Saturday, April 5 at the Central Park Lake in Southaven, it is important to remember the lights are not just pretty and impressive.
It is most important to realize the lighted lanterns represent a person. A cancer survivor, a cancer victim, a family remembering a family member who has fought the fight, each light has a personal story it is telling.
The evening of lighted lanterns reflecting the fight against, the hope or survival from cancer is one of two primary fundraisers for the nonprofit DeSoto Hope. It is made up of cancer survivors and their supporters whose mission is to come alongside DeSoto County cancer patients and offer support and hope through what they call Hope Baskets.
You may think of this as a simple concept, to receive a basket filled with items designed to make treatment more comfortable and to offer encouragement during a challenging time.
But the more than 2,150 baskets that DeSoto Hope has distributed have meant so much to those who have received it. Take the story of Trala Key, for instance.
A breast cancer diagnosis last October made her life challenging, in spite of a healthy lifestyle and it became more difficult when she underwent chemotherapy for the first time last December.
“I am used to taking care of everyone else, but this was a time that I needed other people,” Key said. “The side effects of chemotherapy are challenging, but the Hope Basket that was provided brought me comfort and strength during this difficult time.”
Key went on to say receiving the Hope Basket reminded her that she was not alone and provided her with much-needed support and encouragement during her treatment.
The Hope Baskets can be provided to newly-diagnosed DeSoto County cancer patients, or patients being treated in DeSoto County.
“If they don’t live in DeSoto County, we can deliver it to one of the cancer centers around here,” said DeSoto Hope co-founder Ashleigh Parker. “Whether they are at the hospital for radiation oncology, Baptist Cancer Center or West Center, otherwise it gets delivered to their door.”
In the five years since lanterns were first placed to illuminate the lake at Southaven’s Central Park, Parker says she’s been overwhelmed by the event’s response.
“We were overwhelmed by so much support and everything because that was back during COVID and people really couldn’t get out,” Parker said. “We didn’t know how it was going to work. We consistently sell about 700 lanterns a year for this.” The deadline to purchase lanterns is March 17.
Light Up The Lake is a free event and open to the public, set for 6:30-8 p.m. the evening of April 5. It honors cancer survivors, remembers loved ones and inspires hope in those who are currently in cancer treatment, in remission or who are now cured.
A special moment will come at 7 p.m. when all cancer survivors are asked to be part of a group photo at the lighted Hope sign set up at the lake.
The funds raised help support the gathering and purchase of the Hope Baskets given to DeSoto County cancer patients. DeSoto Hope also offers a $500 travel voucher to patients who travel for a second opinion or for treatment outside the Mid-South area. Some restrictions apply and more information on applying for the travel grant may be found on the DeSoto Hope website.
Co-founder Tracy Gallagher said viewing the lanterns along the lake can be emotional, but the experience becomes a “quiet celebration.”
“It just represents lives, people who have been touched by cancer,” Gallagher said. “To see people come out and they may not have seen their loved one’s name written out for a while, so it’s an emotional thing.”
As a free event, Gallagher said Light Up The Lake is DeSoto Hope’s way of giving back to the community.
“This is an event that we have for people to really come together,” Gallagher said.
To Purchase Lanterns ($20 each-Deadline March 17)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqDDtPNbd28gadiTG7Y_gVYr_ZTmluafd6yfFOk3u5GpfFRg/viewform
Some Volunteer Opportunities are still welcome: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKq44KUFBWMSTH_YDs07qP_2BX-N7CN-PjNHzaPYLtLulGZQ/viewform
Light Up The Lake online store: https://desotohope2024.bigcartel.com/
More event information: https://www.desotohope.org/light-up-the-lake.html#/
A video featuring last year’s Light Up The Lake:
