Tater’s Smile

Written by his mother, Lulu Singleton

Tater was diagnosed with cancer in September 2011, and he relapsed in 2015.

The hardest part was not being able to take cancer from him, and knowing my son wouldn’t be a cancer survivor.

I was able to find hope through my son’s smile. He was always so positive and didn’t fear anything.

I would tell other families facing childhood cancer to take it one day at a time. Don’t think about the future and the “what ifs.”

The Singleton Family will be joining us on our annual Sunrise Retreat this month, a bereavement experience offering rest, restoration, hope, and joy for families who have lost a child to cancer. In looking ahead to their retreat, Tater’s mother, Lulu, shares their hopes for this time: “I am looking forward to connecting with other families, learning new coping skills and drawing from their hope. Sometimes throughout the journey of grief, we forget hope, and only a parent that has been there can provide that because they know exactly what we have been through. They become a ray of sunshine, knowing that although the pain is always there, there is hope that it will get a little easier to carry. Lighthouse truly is an amazing place. It’s a piece of Heaven, nothing but love and happiness. Whether it’s on the receiving end or the giving, it’s truly a blessing.”

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During the month of September, we will be sharing stories written by some of the families who will be attending our Sunrise Retreat this month. We hope you will join us in praying for these families who have endured unimaginable loss, that God will use the week away with their family and Lighthouse volunteers to bring healing and hope.

Our fundraising goal for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is $30,000, because that’s what it takes to put on a Sunrise Retreat. From meals and gifts to Parent’s Night Out, sibling activities and nights of remembrance, every single dollar we receive in September is going to be invested into providing a restorative experience for families who have lost their child to cancer. When it comes to our growing Sunrise Retreat program, more funding means more families served. Whether you can give $1, $100 or $1,000, please join us in honoring the memories of the children we’ve lost by providing support for the families who will never forget them. Visit this page to learn more or donate.