The Keaton Franklin Foundation, or Thumbs Up Mission as it is often called, came into our lives during a season when everything was a struggle. My husband had been recently diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and we found ourselves trying to navigate through all that cancer brings to a family. We were invited to attend a Thumbs Up Retreat and for the first time in a long time, finally felt hope. The retreats are a phenomenal demonstration of love and laughter and families like mine leave knowing that their lives have been forever changed. My family has served as volunteers for the past three years. The more I see of this organization and the people who run it, the more convinced I am this is an organization that truly shines above all the others. Cancer families find hope and love and connection within this group, and the organization is run with the highest standards of ethics. Most of their volunteers were once guest families, which speaks highly of the care they received. They function fully debt free and still have served over 500 families in the short few years that they have been operating. They are an organization worthy of funds and will use them well to continue to serve families walking through this cancer journey. My family is forever impacted by the work of this great organization.
I have had the privilege of volunteering with Thumbs Up twice now. This organization services parents with cancer who have school aged children. The retreat provides the opportunity for the family to have time together and have an action packed, fun-filled weekend. The hope is that maybe, for one weekend, they can possibly forget their troubles and let us pamper and love on them- while eating like kings and queens! The time spent volunteering with Thumbs Up has been some of the most rewarding times of my life.