Maggie and Mike McCallie will chair the 2018 Celebration of Life and Hope for the Austin Hatcher Foundation
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer has scheduled its 10th Annual “Celebration of Life & Hope” for Saturday, Sept. 8, at Stratton Hall in downtown.
Announcement of this milestone event completes a year of milestones for the Austin Hatcher Foundation. During 2017, the foundation has been commemorating its first decade of operation (2006-2016), with many highlights along the way:
In January, the first Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Humanitarian Award was presented to champion sports car driver Joey Hand, during the Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
Throughout the year, the foundation benefited from its third year of partnership with Pleasanton, California-based Goodguys, the world’s largest hot rodding association. The foundation was involved in six Goodguys events, via the “Autocross for Kids” initiative that resulted on donations and increased awareness.
September marked the opening of the Foundation’s state-of-the-art Education Advancement Center in Chattanooga, a facility that is enabling an expansion of foundation services provided to young cancer patients and their families at no cost. Also in September, the ninth annual Celebration of Life and Hope was held at the Coker Tire Museum in Chattanooga. In addition, the foundation was named the official charity of SimCraft.
In October, the Eighth Annual “Kickin’ It For Kids With Cancer” returned to Lee University in Cleveland with a two-part fundraising effort to benefit the foundation.
The 2018 Celebration of Life and Hope will be chaired by Mike and Maggie McCallie of Chattanooga, two long-time supporters on the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Mike McCallie is a partner at Max Trans Logistics, while Maggie McCallie has served on the Celebration of Life and Hope committee for several years.
“There is no better cause than an organization that provides services and support to children and families affected by cancer,” Ms. McCallie said.
The Celebration of Life & Hope annually serves to showcase the foundation’s efforts to fight pediatric cancer both in the Chattanooga area and nationwide. This year, the numbers reflect those expanding efforts; the foundation has provided services to more than 71,000 young cancer patients and their family members, across 28 states, involving 38 children’s hospitals.
“This annual event is what we consider our ‘signature’ event, as it’s part of the bedrock of the Austin Hatcher Foundation,” said Amy Jo Osborn, the foundation’s president.
"It has helped us build our core regional support that has in turn led to national visibility. The community’s response has always been considerable – and gratifying. And our new co-chairs are ready to make the 10th annual ‘CLH’ the best yet.”
The Osborns started the foundation in 2006 following the death of their infant son Austin Hatcher Osborn due to cancer.
“Amy Jo and Jim are leaders in this community,” Mr. McCallie said, “and their leadership is the kind that really piques the community interest in our cause.”
For more information on the Celebration of Life and Hope, go to www.hatcherfoundation.org/celebrate/.