Blaze of Hope

Cori Wilde • Meghan Houlihan • Bettye Restle • Lisa Moore 
April Barnes • Theresa Pannacciulli • Myra Moore  • Andee Ondina 

It was supposed to be the happiest time in Lisa Moore’s life. On April 27, 1999, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy she named Blaze. What she didn’t realize was that her entire life was about to flip upside down. 

Just seven months into his life, Blaze was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a liver cancer. Lisa began essentially living in John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital as her son underwent various surgeries, treatments, and chemotherapy. He passed away in her arms at just 13 months old. 

While Lisa was spending a vast majority of her time in the hospital, she noticed how many families were struggling to pay bills and spend time with their sick children. She was inspired to step up and create an organization dedicated to financially supporting families going through similar tragedies. In 2015, Blaze of Hope was born as a 501 C-3 nonprofit. 

Today, nine incredible women lift up the organization as they work toward their mission of spreading hope like fire. Lisa, the CEO and Founder, began planning this many years ago while she was still in the hospital with Blaze. She is quickly approaching the 10 year anniversary of the organization and plans to keep it running for the rest of her life. 

April Barnes, President, began volunteering with Blaze of Hope by building a float for a Christmas parade. She was deeply inspired by their mission and began volunteering as much as possible. Now, she has been with the organization for over six years and helps to light  bridges gold around the world in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

Theresa Pannacciulli, Executive Director, is an original board member and a lifelong friend of Lisa. She helped to get the organization off the ground in 2015 and personally knew and spent time with Blaze during his short life. 

Myra Moore, Fundraising Coordinator, is Lisa’s wife. She began working with the organization in 2016 and currently works to support their various fundraising events such as toy drives, awareness walks, and donations. She is extremely passionate about the cause and finds motivation through Lisa to be a giving person, just like she is.   

Meghan Houlihan, Treasurer, has been a board member for almost two years now. She is very good friends with Lisa and Myra and loves giving back to her community through Blaze of Hope’s mission. 

Andee Ondina, Creative Director, was inspired to join Blaze of Hope by witnessing the joy and hope that Lisa and the team spread throughout the region. She primarily operates the various social media accounts and helps to coordinate events. 

Cori Wilde, Director, has known Lisa for over 20 years and serves on the board of directors. She has been involved since the beginning, helping Lisa overcome obstacles to launch the organization. She loves working with the team at Blaze of Hope and finds inspiration in everyone else being so dedicated to the mission. 

Bettye Restle, Director of Communications, was inspired to join Blaze of Hope by her daughter, April. Lisa is like a best friend to her. Tragically, Bettye’s daughter passed away on Thanksgiving Day in 2022, and Lisa dropped everything to be with her and support her. They are like family. 

Christine Dodge, Secretary, was unfortunately recently displaced by Hurricane Milton. Her dedication to the organization goes beyond the call of duty, even going as far as creating fundraisers in Texas while living there temporarily. 

Blaze of Hope relies heavily on individual donations and volunteers for fundraising events. You can find more information about the organization and get involved yourself by visiting their website, searching for the organization online, and through social media.

Text by Tom Reese | Photo by Harry Sayer

16237 Winburn Dr., Sarasota FL, 34240
blazeofhopesrq@gmail.com
941-232-4568