FORT MILL, S.C. – This September, Fort Mill is shining brighter than ever as the community rallies behind one of its own. Libby, a junior at Fort Mill High School who has been fighting brain cancer since infancy, is leading the charge to Turn Fort Mill GOLD for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Diagnosed in 2010 at just 18 months old, Libby has endured more than most adults will in a lifetime: 16 months of weekly chemotherapy, two brain surgeries, countless MRIs and blood transfusions, hormone therapies, and treatment for a life-threatening aneurysm. These experiences left her blind in one eye and with limited vision in the other. Despite the challenges, she has thrived—earning straight A’s in honors and AP courses and recently being named drum major of the Fort Mill High School marching band.
A Community Tradition Since 2013
The Turn Fort Mill GOLD initiative began in Baxter Village in 2013, when resident Dana Boutwell, as part of her Strawberry Queen platform, brought pediatric cancer awareness to the forefront. Inspired by a neighbor’s child battling leukemia, the community began raising funds by selling gold bows for mailboxes, doors, and businesses. Since then, the campaign has grown into a powerful annual effort uniting Fort Mill around children facing cancer.
This year, Libby’s family and neighbors set a modest fundraising goal of $500. They have already exceeded that mark, raising more than $2,800, with donations continuing to increase.
Funding Hope for the Future
While Libby is not cured, the possibility of future treatments such as targeted gene therapy offers hope. Research into these medical advances is often made possible through grassroots fundraising efforts like bake sales, lemonade stands, and the gold bows that brighten Fort Mill every September.
How to Support
The Turn Fort Mill GOLD campaign runs throughout September in Baxter Village and surrounding neighborhoods. Gold bows can be purchased, and donations can be made online.
🔗 To contribute: Donate Here
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
