05/09/2026
We call her the original Lighthouse mom. If you’ve ever been to a Lighthouse event, chances are you’ve met Sharon. She attends every Illuminate Retreat, cooking every meal and becoming a second mom to every girl. She is the first to hug a fellow cancer-fighting mom and offer encouragement. She’s the one who always shows up.
In honor of Mother’s Day tomorrow, we’re sharing a reflection from our founder’s mom, Sharon. Without her, Lighthouse wouldn’t exist, and we are so grateful to share her with you. Her words say it all:
“Fifteen years ago we heard the words that every parent fears: “Your child has Leukemia.” In that moment, our world turned upside down. Fear and uncertainty quickly settled in, but our community showed up.
Friends, neighbors, and even strangers surrounded us with love. They brought meals, prayers, and generosity that carried us through the hardest days. Their kindness constantly reminded us that we were not alone.
During Hannah’s long hospital stays, our room was rarely empty. Support was always there. I remember sitting at the edge of her bed (rubbing her feet) late at night, listening to the monitors beep, thinking how difficult this would all be without our people. Because just down the hall we saw a very different reality.
There were children spending hours alone. Not because their parents didn’t care, but because they had to work or care for their siblings at home. Seeing both the incredible support we received and the heartbreaking realities other families experienced left a lasting impact on Hannah.
Out of our experience, Lighthouse was born. We could not be more proud of how Hannah’s vision has grown and brought comfort to other families facing the challenges of childhood cancer. Hannah’s heart turned her own journey into something that has changed so many lives.
And the mission keeps growing because of people like you who choose to show up. Today there is a parent sitting on that same hospital bed, listening to those same monitors beep. And because of your support, they will know they aren’t alone.”
