Sandy's Project Hope

Sandy was a founding board member of Rexanna’s Foundation. Her passion for Rexanna’s Foundation was evident from the beginning in the ways she helped the organization create a solid foundation and structure that would allow for many years of continued growth and positive impact.
Donate Now
Sign Up ACancer Patient
Sign Up ACaregiver
Rally to be aVolunteer

Sandy and Rexanna were best of friends. They were family.

Sandy and Rexanna were the best of friends. They were college roommates. They traveled together, they took annual beach trips. They were family. 

Sandy served as the Vice President of Rexanna’s Foundation from the start until she passed away in January 2023. She was a warrior in her passion for supporting patients, and lung cancer advocacy. Sandy traveled with the Executive Director, Spain to LungCAN meetings learning the latest in research and ways that Rexanna’s Foundation could collaborate with organizations across the country. Sandy easily fit into any conversation, in any environment - anywhere. Her passion for others, her empathy and desire to support was evident in every interaction.

Sandy and Rexanna met in their senior year of high school, became instant friends, and then roomed together when they both pursued education at Baylor University. Sandy earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Baylor and met the love of her life, David.  Sandy spent many years teaching speech and P.E. at Goddard Junior High and then at The Hillander School where their two children, Shelley and Sam, would spend their elementary school days.

ImageImage
Sandy enjoyed spending time playing tennis, making quilts for all of her favorite people, time at the lake, going to Hobby Lobby and Target, and countless hours spent at the beach with her toes in the sand.  Eight years ago, when her first grandson was born, she became lovingly known as Cha Cha to her three favorite tiny humans, Silas, John David and Ella Claire. Sandy’s commitment to and love of her family never wavered. She adored her husband, cherished her children, loved her children’s spouses as if they were her own and dove head-first into her role as Cha Cha. Sandy spread laughter and light wherever she went and made every acquaintance her best friend. While Sandy leaves a legacy of joy and hard-work, she also leaves an incredible legacy of faith in God and a life-long love and commitment to her wonderful husband of 43 years. We will forever remember her resolute faith, seemingly endless energy, competitiveness, ever positive attitude, affinity for the biggest and brightest of everything – clothing, jewelry, decor and life.
Image
Image
Sandy is survived by her husband, David Sledge of Midland; daughter Shelley Cunningham and husband Kyle of Midland; son Sam Sledge and wife Helen of Midland; sister Kim Harmon of Arlington; brother Kyle Harmon and wife Sheri of Mansfield; father Gordon Harmon of Mansfield; grandsons Silas and John David Sledge of Midland; granddaughter Ella Cunningham of Midland; and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

Sandy was very generous in the time she gave to others, whether formally through volunteering or just taking time for a few simple words of encouragement. Her availability to fill a need knew no bounds. Rexanna’s Foundation is beyond honored to establish: Sandy’s Project HOPE.

By following the lead and modeling that Sandy established, our goal at Rexanna’s Foundation is to create a division within our organization that is devoted to bringing HOPE and LOVE to patients battling cancer. Sandy’s Project Hope will include the following:

The Pat Hood Rally Cards
Cancer is hard, one of the hardest kinds of hard. Having someone stare down cancer with you makes the situation more hopeful. The men and women we call Rally Card Writers do just that. Writers keep hope alive in the patients as they maneuver through the ups and downs of this relentless disease. Each Rally Card Writer (RCW) is assigned one cancer patient and commits to writing to that patient once a week.
Lung Cancer Advocacy
Endeavors to increase public awareness on lung cancer and strives to increase lung cancer research dollars. Part of our advocacy includes active members of the LungCAN organization.
Patient Support & Outreach
Our team works to support patients in their visits to The MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Donate Now

Goals

We aim to have each affected individual enrolled in the program receive one card per week.

Through handwritten cards, signed by volunteer teams, we aim to give a personal touch to inspire the recipients with hope.

Audience

Anyone going through cancer treatment (any form of cancer).

Those caring for cancer patients.

Commitment

Participants are eligible to receive cards while they are going through treatment.

16 cards per person (both recipient and volunteer) based on 4 weeks per month, for 4 months.

Ways to Participate

 

Sign up

a Recipient

Sign up

To inspire Hope