12/08/2025
Next week is the 25th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis and I am commemorating it by bringing back my passion project, Glo Bug Books! 💫
For those in Milwaukee, I invite you to join me on December 17th from 5 pm to 7 pm at one of my favorite places in the city, Thelma Carol Wine Merchants. Bring holiday cheer and a NEW children's, teen or YA book to donate to share holiday comfort with children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House during the holiday season, an experience my family and I share with these children and families.
Since 2018, books have been my steady way of giving back. My first book drive, organized with my college sorority and journalism group, supported the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and showed me how accessible and meaningful literacy-focused service could be.
In 2020, after a suicidal episode and a difficult period in my mental health headlined by survivor’s guilt, I decided to rebuild my life around celebrating my survival and making the most of my second chance at life. That decision led to the creation of Roar Philanthropy, a passion project that grew into a community initiative which ultimately raised more than $500,000 for nonprofits across Wisconsin. I coordinated events and galas, served on local and national nonprofit boards, curated and coordinated more than 15 local experiences for children and their families, created custom care packages for over 25 local children battling cancer or other critical illnesses, and helped connect volunteers with organizations that needed support.
In 2022, burnout and the passing of my Grandma Glo required me to reassess the scope of the project. Her influence and her commitment to helping others guided me toward a more focused effort. I shifted Roar Philanthropy to Glo Bug Books to work on book collection for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin. Before moving to Memphis in 2023, the project donated more than 4,000 books and hosted four themed reading events for families staying at the House.
I am grateful to be in a place, both mentally and physically, where I can return to this work. This next phase connects to my own cancer story and continues my Grandma Glo's legacy of service through literacy. The relaunch will be gradual, with quarterly book drives planned throughout the year and additional efforts to follow.
Please come celebrate my survival on December 17th and stay tuned for more to come in 2026! Click here for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1371968254430371
