Our vision is to keep Sarah’s fire aglow and spread her light within the community.
Our mission is to create a better experience for children undergoing pediatric brain tumor treatment through targeted giving.
Our Giving Pillars
Carry the Torch
Honor Sarah’s legacy through targeted giving in her memory.
Support the Supporters
Provide medical and educational scholarships for the key providers of treatment and wellbeing.
Advance Research
Give directly to institutions and medical professionals in the area of pediatric brain tumor research.
Our History
2008-2009
Sarah’s Initial Diagnosis & Treatment
Sarah Hughes was 7 years old and just completing first grade when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her young world was turned upside down as she immediately went in for surgery, then to Houston, Texas, to receive proton radiation at MD Anderson. This was followed by six months of intense chemotherapy at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Sarah handled her treatment well and never complained about her countless hours spent at the hospital. The entire staff at Seattle Children’s Hospital was incredible and Sarah received the best care available. Sarah enjoyed several months in “remission” going to school, traveling, and playing sports. Unfortunately, Sarah’s tumor returned in August 2009, but she faced the terrible news with an incredible amount of strength and courage, ready to fight and continue to live her life.
2008
glassybaby Gives
For a period of time, glassybaby honored Sarah with her very own personalized design. She picked the exact colors to be offered. A portion of the proceeds went to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund.
2009 - 2012
Run of Hope Early Years
In Fall 2009, Sarah inspired us all at the first Run of Hope with her overwhelming spirit and community support. Finally, we had an answer for dear friends who asked, “What can I do? How can I help?” And we replied, “Join us at the Run of Hope and support pediatric brain cancer research.” In 2010, after Sarah passed, we continued to support this event and in 2011, Heather joined the steering committee. After the Sarah M. Hughes Foundation was established in 2012, we became a regular sponsor. Each year the Run of Hope gives the Sarah M. Hughes Team Fundraising Award in Sarah’s honor for the team with the highest fundraising dollars.
2012
Foundation Established
After we held the memorial service for Sarah, it became clear that we wanted to do more to honor her legacy and in 2012 we established the Sarah M. Hughes Foundation. We were inspired to keep Sarah’s fire aglow and spread her light within the community. We’re lucky to have lingered in her light. In case you didn’t notice in the logo, the torch, flame and smoke spell out Sarah’s initials, SMH.
Oct 2012
Camp Orkila Firepit
Sarah was a passionate camper and spent several sessions at Camp Orkila where she embraced the zip-line, big swing, campfire skits and bunk room lodging. Camp Orkila is a YMCA camp on Orcas Island that serves children and families of greater Seattle and Washington State. The camp is a non-profit organization that provides environmental education, conference and family programs, and a summer camp experience. We chose to fund Camp Orkila and The Sarah M. Hughes Campfire Pit because it embodies Sarah’s spirit of gathering, coziness and spreading light and love.
Jan 2013
Bertschi Scholarship
Sarah attended Bertschi School from Kindergarten through 3rd grade and embraced all things Bertschi had to offer! She loved everything from art to science, acting and reading. While in treatment during 2nd grade Sarah was enveloped into “GT’s cabin” (a.k.a. her classroom). Also known as Great Teacher, GT made her classroom a welcoming and creative place for her blooming 2nd graders. Sarah soaked it all up and thrived in the Bertschi Community! Bertschi School became one of the first recipients of the Sarah M. Hughes Foundation. A newly created Sarah M. Hughes endowment fund provided financial aid to children of faculty and staff at Bertschi school. We at the foundation chose to give back so that others can enjoy the benefits of Bertschi School and to keep Sarah’s memory alive.
2013 - today
Support the Supporters
In addition to the pillar of “carry the torch” in Sarah’s honor, we established giving to “support the supporters” who contributed to Sarah’s experience during treatment. Initially we honored Providence Pediatric Grief Program because of their care for children and teens who are facing or have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. As well, we funded Camp Goodtimes that is specifically designed to provide opportunities for personal growth and connection among children impacted by cancer. Today we have added targeted scholarships for continuing and higher education in the field of nursing and pediatric cancer.
2013 - today
Advance Research
We were so impressed with many of the treatments being discovered in the field of pediatric brain cancer. It is important to Sarah’s legacy that the research continues. We decided early on to fund researchers making advances in this field. Dr. Jim Olson had wondered for a long time if the cells of brain tumors could be lit up in an effective way to allow for a safer, more effective removal of the cancer tissue from the patient's brain. With his Scorpion Venom research, Dr. Olson is not only proving it is possible in the lab, but it is also being used in clinical trials today.