Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Hosts Successful 17th Annual Celebration of Life and Hope Gala
- September 21st event highlighted by a heartfelt family testimony
- Event presented by TRCC
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (October 24, 2024) — The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer recently held its 17th annual Celebration of Life and Hope Gala on Saturday evening, September 21st, at the Foundation’s Education Advancement Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The event featured live music, exquisite cuisine, and a wide array of live and silent auction items up for bidding. Through this special evening, the gala successfully raised support for the Foundation and the vital resources it offers to families impacted by childhood cancer.
A blue theme and dress code were encouraged throughout the evening to honor Simone Otterman, daughter of the Foundation’s 2024 Honoree Family, creating a sea of attendees adorned in various shades of blue. The Otterman family shared their poignant story through a heartfelt testimonial video, which provided insight into Simone's diagnosis, her courageous battle with leukemia, her passing, and the family's experiences with the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
Simone’s surviving older sister Jade showcased her artistic talent by hand-painting greeting cards and creating two framed pieces of watercolor art that were auctioned during the event. The Otterman’s youngest daughter, Cali, proudly presented her sister's artwork on stage, and one of the pieces garnered significant interest. As a family, they hand-constructed a blue dollhouse that was highly sought after at auction. Each detail of the dollhouse was carefully chosen by the family. It even featured mini-water color paintings made by Jade. The Otterman family's testimonial can be viewed on the Foundation's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejfjse-Bkbo.
Kiran and John Patterson, the co-chairs of the 2024 Celebration of Life and Hope, sought to create a meaningful tribute for the Otterman family to honor the evening. Utilizing the event's visual design, they incorporated a collection of the Otterman family’s birth flowers, the month of Simone’s passing, a Lodge Cast Iron skillet (the reason the Ottermans moved to Chattanooga), and a dragonfly, creating custom silk neck scarves and a pocket square. The Pattersons also commissioned a one-of-a-kind painting for the Ottermans based on the design, in Simone’s signature blue. These thoughtful gifts will stand as a reminder of Simone’s life and of the evening spent celebrating her and every family who has been impacted by childhood cancer.
"It was an honor to be part of such a meaningful evening that honored the Otterman family and the many families impacted by pediatric cancer", said Kiran. "We are grateful for the Austin Hatcher Foundation's commitment to providing resources and hope to the families it serves."
The 2024 Celebration of Life and Hope was presented by TRCC. Material Handling, Inc was the VIP Sponsor, and the Platinum Sponsor was First Bank. All other sponsors can be found on www.CelebrationLH.com.
“The Celebration of Life and Hope is the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, and serves as an evening to celebrate the meaningful work the Foundation provides,” said Georgia Moore, the Foundation’s Community and Events Coordinator. “We are so thankful for the community that rallies behind us every day, and we’re thrilled with the turnout of this year’s event. The support of our donors, sponsors, and supporters, is truly what allows the Foundation to provide 100%-free supportive services to any family impacted by childhood cancer.”
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a lifetime of free essential services to children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Through its various programs, the Foundation offers support, education, and hope to children battling cancer and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
For more information about the Austin Hatcher Foundation and ways to support the Foundation’s work, visit www.HatcherFoundation.org.
