Ensuring no one fights cancer alone

In 2018, Tracy Gallagher was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. She also learned she carried a deadly genetic mutation called BRCA1. In 2019, she underwent six surgeries and 16 rounds of chemotherapy. Fortunately, the treatment was successful and her cancer is now in remission.

Following her initial diagnosis, Tracy was visited at home by a group of women she didn’t know who came to offer support, care and camaraderie. It was an unexpected and compassionate gesture that changed her life.

Although Mississippi has the highest rate of breast cancer death in the U.S., Tracy discovered that no cancer support group existed in her county. So she decided to form one.

Inspired by that visit from caring neighbors, she began connecting with other survivors, including a friend who was then in treatment for stage 4 colon cancer. Together, in 2020, they formed DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support to ensure no one would have to endure treatment alone. They started putting together gift baskets and delivering them to people currently in treatment to help make the experience more tolerable.

So far, they have delivered more than 1,500 baskets, which include both practical and inspirational items as well as a $50 gift card to help with gas to get to medical appointments. They also distribute $500 travel grants to those seeking treatment outside of their area. As part of their outreach, the organization also connects people with others undergoing treatment so they can support and encourage each other.

“It meant so much to me to be comforted by strangers when I got my cancer diagnosis,” said Tracy Gallagher. “That’s why I helped start this organization. Our purpose is to let our DeSoto County friends know that no one needs to fight cancer alone.”

Tracy is currently the president of DeSoto Hope, running the nonprofit along with a board of four other cancer survivors and friends.

“Our purpose is to let our DeSoto County friends know that no one needs to fight cancer alone.”

—     Tracy Gallagher, President, DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support

Spreading hope, one basket at a time

In her work life, Tracy is a principal at Gallagher Insurance Group, which she started with her husband, Joel. Naturally, the agency serves as the biggest cheerleader and promoter of DeSoto Hope.

With help from employees, the agency supports cancer patients by collecting items for the care baskets, personally delivering them to patients and setting up the office as a drop-off spot for donated items to be distributed. The agency also helps organize and run the nonprofit’s various fundraisers and other promotional events and uses their business contacts to elicit further support for the cause.

In addition, the nonprofit organizes an annual event called Light Up The Lake, in which paper lantern luminaries are placed in a lake in Central Park in Southaven, Mississippi. The lanterns honor cancer survivors, those currently in treatment and the memories of those who died of the disease.

The gift that keeps on giving

Though the agency tirelessly promotes DeSoto Hope, occasionally an opportunity to help walks right through their door. Recently, one of the agency’s customers mentioned during a meeting that they needed to travel to Houston for cancer treatment, so Joel connected him with Desoto Hope, which soon after delivered a basket and a $500 travel grant.

“I’ve seen first-hand how support from the community can lift the spirits of those battling cancer,” said Joel Gallagher, co-owner of the Gallagher Insurance Group. “It’s a blessing to be able pay forward the love and compassion our family received during a difficult time.”

“It’s a blessing to be able to pay forward the love and compassion our family received during a difficult time.”

– Joel Gallagher, Co-owner and Principal, Gallagher Insurance Group

Making treatment more tolerable

Your vote can help the DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support receive a $10,000 donation. The funding would pay for the gift baskets, which cost $160 each, as well as $500 grants to help patients who need to travel to receive treatment.

Help the Gallagher Insurance Group win $10,000 for DeSoto Hope Community Cancer Support by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by Nov. 1.