Save the Date: Austin Hatcher Foundation to Host 18th Annual Celebration of Life and Hope Gala on September 20, 2025
The Foundation’s hallmark event is marked by family testimonies, live music, silent auctions, food, and specialty cocktails, all to support families impacted by pediatric cancer.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Feb. 13, 2025) – The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer will host its 18th annual Celebration of Life and Hope on Saturday, September 20, 2025, featuring family testimonies, live and silent auctions, live music, an open bar, food, and specialty cocktails, all to support families facing pediatric cancer.
The semi-formal cocktail reception is the Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event, attended each year by hundreds of local leaders and community supporters.
For its sixth year, the Celebration of Life and Hope will be held at the Foundation’s Education Advancement Center, a recently-renovated 33,000 sq. ft. facility located at 1705 S. Holtzclaw Ave., Chattanooga, Tenn. The event will once again take place in September in honor of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
Meet the Honoree Family: The Yeamans
Every year, the Celebration of Life and Hope honors one family facing the effects of childhood cancer. This year, the Foundation will honor the Yeaman Family. Parents Ashley and Anson Yeaman have been part of the Austin Hatcher Foundation community since their daughter, Abby, was diagnosed with cancer in December 2022. The entire Yeaman family, including their son Walker, has found support through the Foundation’s mental, emotional, educational, and social well-being services.
“The Austin Hatcher Foundation has been a godsend for our family during a very difficult time,” said Ashley Yeaman. “When our daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer, our whole world changed in an instant. The Foundation has helped our entire family navigate life throughout her intense treatment and, now, recovery, by providing clinical and emotional support every step of the way. Without them, we could not have made it to this point as well as we have as a family. The impact of a cancer diagnosis does not stop at the end of treatment, and we are comforted by knowing that the Austin Hatcher team remains by our side as we continue this journey.”
Meet the Co-Chairs: Cindy and Less Lee
This year’s event is co-chaired by local entrepreneurs Cindy and Less Lee, avid supporters of the Foundation. Cindy, a member of the Foundation’s Board, is the President and CEO of Lync Logistics. She will co-chair the event alongside her husband, Less, who serves as the CEO of Lee-Smith, Inc., a leading commercial truck dealership serving the Chattanooga area.
“The Austin Hatcher Foundation truly is a lifeline to families facing childhood cancer,” said Cindy. "As longtime supporters of the Foundation, Less and I are deeply honored to co-chair this year's Celebration of Life and Hope gala to further advance their mission of providing healing and connection to entire families."
The Austin Hatcher Foundation is funded entirely by donors and fundraisers like the Celebration of Life and Hope. The Foundation provides free, integrative care to entire families faced with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, empowering them to succeed through innovative mental, behavioral, and social therapies, educational resources, and family-centered programs.
Auction Donations: The Celebration of Life and Hope is hallmarked by large silent and live auctions. The Foundation is currently accepting auction donations from any person or company willing to contribute, from gift cards to vacation homes and anything in between. If you have an item or experience to donate, contact Melanie Hammontree at Melanie@HatcherFoundation.org.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Businesses and organizations are encouraged to join and sponsor the Celebration of Life and Hope. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels. Anyone interested may contact Melanie Hammontree at Melanie@HatcherFoundation.org.
Follow @celebration_chatt on Instagram for updates.
About the Austin Hatcher Foundation
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer provides free, integrative, evidence-based, comprehensive care to children with cancer and every individual family member navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer. The Foundation empowers families to succeed beyond a cancer diagnosis through innovative mental, behavioral, and social therapies, educational resources, and family-centered programs. Learn more at www.hatcherfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Katey Koon, Marketing Manager – katey@hatcherfoundation.org
