Dancing for Gold® 2025 supporting Book for Hope®
Stacey Young
I’m dancing because the children in our communities who are fighting cancer need to know they are valued and loved. We can’t take away their sickness, but we can join the fight.
Stacey Young
I’m dancing because the children in our communities who are fighting cancer need to know they are valued and loved. We can’t take away their sickness, but we can join the fight.
About Stacey:
My first and most important title is “Child of The King.” As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe I have a responsibility to love and serve others, which is why I said “yes,” without hesitation when asked to participate in Book for Hope.
I’m married to the most supportive and encouraging man, Jason Young. We live in Marshall County and have one adult son, Taylor, who lives in Louisville. Jason is a retired Kentucky State Trooper and current deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, serving as a school resource officer. I have been the director of patient relations at Baptist Health Paducah for over two decades.
Book for Hope is a natural fit for our family mission, which is to serve others. We do it at work every day and we are grateful God has given us opportunities to be His hands and feet in our community and region.
I was first introduced to childhood cancer in 2008 when a young boy in our community was diagnosed with brain cancer. Gunner Gillespie was only eight years old when he died. He was only two years younger than our son. During Gunner’s fight, I watched his family do everything possible to save their son. Our hearts were shattered when Gunner passed away.
A few years later, new neighbors moved in next door, and we learned that they too had lost their son, Ethan Bibb, to cancer when he was 9 ½ years old. I spent many hours with Ethan’s mom, Robin, listening to stories about Ethan and looking at pictures from better times. The pain of loss (even years later) was palpable. Words don’t make it less painful. Being present was all I could do for this precious family.
And finally, along comes a happy ending. Through my role at the hospital, I had the opportunity to meet five-year-old Kendall James, who was undergoing treatment for Rhabdomyosarcoma. I instantly fell in love with this child. I stayed connected to them as Kendall endured six weeks of radiation and a year of aggressive chemotherapy. The first Book for Hope event I attended was in support of Kendall during her active treatment in 2017. Today, Kendall is a thriving, cancer-free 12-year-old.
Hope. Four little letters that carry with them light, love, energy and power. Gunner had hope. Ethan had hope. Kendall had hope. I’m asking my friends, family and associates to give hope to the next child going into battle. Please support this effort with a generous donation. We live in a region full of kind, caring people who want to help. So, I, too, have hope.