We are honored to name Lighthouse For Hope as the Rylee + Cru Foundation Grant Recipient for the month of August. Dedicated to providing both personal and practical support to children and families facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders, Lighthouse For Hope was born out of Founder and Executive Director Hannah Cobley’s own journey of overcoming Leukemia. Her story of resilience and compassion has inspired a mission that brings light and hope to families navigating similar challenges. Read on for our Q&A with Hannah to learn more about the incredible services Lighthouse For Hope provides.
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Q&A
Q. Can you share the story behind the founding of Lighthouse For Hope, and how your personal journey continues to shape the heart and mission of the organization today?
A. To talk about Lighthouse, I first have to share a little bit about myself! I was diagnosed with Leukemia just 10 days before my 18th birthday. My experience opened my eyes to the emotional and financial toll that pediatric cancer takes on entire families. I was fortunate enough to have a very strong support system, something that many of the families I encountered in the hospital did not have. I saw parents working multiple jobs to keep the lights on, siblings struggling to cope, and kids spending birthdays and holidays in hospital rooms. I knew I couldn't just be done, I had to do something about it in whatever way I could! Ten years later, Lighthouse For Hope is now serving families across the country, providing critical emotional and financial support to those who need it most. I carry the experiences I went through with me into every hospital drop-off, conversation with a family, and program we create. Making sure every family feels seen, understood, and cared for.
Q. What sets Lighthouse For Hope apart from other childhood cancer foundations in terms of how you approach support, advocacy, and community-building?
A. Lighthouse stands out among childhood cancer nonprofits because we address a critical gap in care: the immediate, day-to-day burdens families face when their child is facing cancer. At Lighthouse, we believe in seeing people, meeting them where they are, and responding with action. We believe that support shouldn't be one-size-fits-all. We are deeply embedded in the communities we serve, building relationships that last long after treatment ends. Our support blends the practical with the personal. We advocate not only for better access to resources but also for the emotional wellbeing of every family member. Our focus is on creating a true community, where families support other families.
Another thing that sets us apart is that our services don't end when a patient turns 18. Pediatric cancer impacts young people well into their twenties, something I know firsthand, having gone through treatment for a pediatric cancer at a children's hospital from age 18-21. Too often, patients in this age group are excluded from many assistance programs, creating a gap in support during an already isolating time. At Lighthouse For Hope, if you are undergoing treatment for a pediatric cancer at a children's hospital, you qualify for our services - whether you are 8 or 25. That's why programs like our Illuminate Retreat, which brings together young women ages 18-26 together for a life-changing trip, are so vital. These efforts make sure no one feels forgotten, no matter their age.
Q. Your work touches so many aspects of a family’s journey through pediatric cancer or blood disorders. Can you walk us through some of the key programs you offer and how they help meet both emotional and financial needs?
A. Our programs are designed from personal experience, aimed to meet urgent needs while also fostering deep connection and joy in difficult times:
- Hope Families Program: Our core programming that started it all! Through the Hope Families Program, families that have a child experiencing pediatric cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder that may require a bone marrow transplant, can receive essential financial support. Whether it be help with utilities, gas, or groceries, we see that each family gets what they truly need. This financial support doesn't just have to come in the form of gas cards or assistance with groceries - we have provided families with mattresses, strollers, tires, airfare assistance, and most recently a new washer and dryer! We have even purchased a dress for a mother to wear to her child's funeral - our approach is tailored and intimate.
- The Illuminate Retreat: Illuminate is a life-changing getaway for young women navigating cancer, offering community, healing, and rest away from the hospital. We have hosted 4 retreats, with our 5th coming up in October in Hawaii! Illuminate is a one-of-a-kind program, designed to offer peer support that is proven to transform the healing journey of cancer patients. It is truly a magical experience!
- Holidays For Hope: Similar to Hope Families, taking place in December, we provide gifts for over 50 families each year, ensuring that each family has gifts to open during this special season. Each family also receives financial support in addition to gifts.
Cancer is isolating, and families facing a diagnosis often feel like no one truly understands their journey. That's why we prioritize emotional peer support alongside financial assistance. Through Hope Families and Illuminate, we create a network of families supporting families - ensuring no one feels alone. Research shows that peer support significantly improves mental health outcomes for both cancer fighters and their loved ones, and Lighthouse fosters these vital connections.
Q. Could you share a story or two of families who’ve been deeply impacted by Lighthouse for Hope—whether through day-to-day support or in ways that were unexpected or especially meaningful?
A. Yes, there are so many powerful stories I could share, but I'll narrow it down! A couple of years ago, we were referred a family from social workers that needed new tires. We took a trip to their home to bring a gift card for tires, and when we arrived, quickly realized that they needed much more than that. Their 2 year old had undergone surgery and chemo to remove a tumor from his left leg. The family recently had to move to a home owned by a family member after experiencing job loss, but this new place had serious safety and comfort issues. The front porch was rotting and unsafe to walk on. Several windows were broken. The fridge didn't work. Furniture was scarce, mom and dad were sleeping on a broken mattress propped up on slabs of wood. The property had piles of trash left from previous tenants. The next weekend, we returned with 20 volunteers ready to work! In just 8 hours, we replaced five windows, all the interior doors, and the broken fridge. We demolished and rebuilt the porch and stairs, painted a bedroom, built new beds for everyone, and hauled away over 50 bags of garbage. By the end of the day, we were happy to provide a place where this family could begin to breathe again. This sweet family couldn't catch a break and didn't have a community of people behind them to help pick up the pieces. Cancer doesn't discriminate, it impacts families from all walks of life, and often in ways that go far beyond the hospital room.
One more of my favorite stories is that of Natasha. Natasha is one of our friends that attended The Illuminate Retreat. At 24, Natasha was diagnosed with stage 4 synovial sarcoma, a terminal cancer. She says it better than I ever could, "When I was diagnosed, it felt like a punch in the gut. Then Lighthouse for Hope came into my life. In 2022, I went to Hawaii with 9 other women who had been diagnosed with cancer or a blood disease. At first I was nervous, not knowing anyone going but I decided to open myself up and let the good in. And it wasn’t just good… it was life changing. For the first time since my diagnosis, I was able to meet and befriend people who truly understood what I was going through. That loneliness and isolation you feel being a young adult with cancer disappeared. It was amazing being able to finally talk about what I was going through with people who understood. I cried during the retreat but it was tears of relief. I was able to be vulnerable with these women I had just met. I credit Hannah and her team for this. They planned every day so well that it allowed us to have fun and explore a new place but also sit down and do activities that helped us reflect and bond. I think my most cherished moments happened at the house after outdoor activities because that’s when we were able to share our feelings and really feel seen. I shared my grief and was able to finally have not one but 9 people who understood and saw me. I made friendships for life during that 5 day retreat. If you told me that 5 days could change my life, I would probably think you’re crazy. But it did. It was the first time since being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer that I felt true joy. I was able to relax, explore, learn and make friendships that will last for life. And more than that, I was able to find my spirit in the process. Lighthouse for Hope came into my life when I was at my most confused. I came out of it with clarity and a new spark and for that I will be eternally grateful."
Q. Programs like the Lightkeeper and Hope Ambassador initiatives seem to play an important role in carrying your mission forward. How do these efforts help sustain your work, and what are some of the ways people can get involved—whether locally or from afar?
A. We are here because of those that believe in us! Lighthouse For Hope is truly a grassroots organization. Becoming a Lightkeeper is simple and easy, providing a monthly gift that allows us to respond quickly to family needs. Even a $10 monthly gift, especially during our 10 for 10 anniversary challenge, can create an impact!
Our Hope Ambassadors commit to raising or donating a set amount each year while serving as advocates in their own communities. They bring in new supporters, host creative fundraisers, and spread awareness in ways that reflect their own passions and networks.
Whether you are local to AZ or not, we need you! We support families from across the entire United States, working with pediatric oncology social workers to find families that would best benefit from our assistance. So whether it's a one-time donation, monthly donation, adopting a family for Holidays For Hope, attending one of our fundraising events, hosting an event of your very own, purchasing merch, hosting a supply drive, shopping our Amazon wish list, or simply sharing our mission on social media - there are countless ways to get involved! We are beyond grateful for it all!
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