HopeWell Cancer Center – Sponsor a Retreat for Children Facing Family Cancer

Story

Why Ed Kenny & Jocelyn Batlas Chose to Sponsor the HopeWell Cancer Center Children’s Retreat

HopeWell Cancer Center means more to us than words can say. Both of us have experienced the unimaginable pain of losing a spouse to cancer—and more importantly, we’ve seen what that kind of loss does to a child.

When our own families were navigating grief, HopeWell was there. They didn’t just offer support—they gave our children a place to feel seen, to feel safe, and to realize they weren’t alone. In a world that suddenly felt shattered, HopeWell helped piece together something meaningful: connection.

Losing a parent to cancer isn’t like any other loss. It’s not temporary. It’s not something you outgrow. It leaves a silence that can feel endless—and for a child, that silence can be especially isolating. The HopeWell Children’s Retreat offers something rare: a space where kids who’ve experienced this kind of grief can come together, share their stories, and start to heal alongside others who truly understand.

Sponsoring this retreat is more than a donation—it’s a deeply personal thank you. It’s our way of paying forward the compassion and strength HopeWell gave our families. We want every child who attends to know they are seen, supported, and never, ever alone.