hope stout
at the ripe old age of 12, and facing a horrific cancer, hope stout was approached by the good people at the make a wish foundation… because, well. that’s what they do, and it’s a good thing.
then things get extraordinary…
Upon learning that there were 156 other kids waiting for their “wish”, Hope expressed a desire to make that happen. Her “wish” was that all the wishes could come true for the kids on the list!
take a moment and share a thought for hope. and if you’re able, contribute. thanks to the open and amazing heart of a 12-year-old, you have a chance to help make two wishes come true at once.
there’s more at the charlotte observer, and again. i found it at metafilter.
update (2003.12.22): a little more here and a photo.
update (2004.01.05): confirming the comments below, the charlotte observer has a story as does wral, wavy, wsoc, the associated press (via the wilmington star), news14.
update (2004.01.06): the guardian, macon telegraph, kfor, sun news and the associated press (via duluth news tribune) also have stories.
mayor pat mccrory of charlotte, the charlotte center city partners and the bank of america have come together to promote an exhibition football game and gathering in hope’s name. stories here, here, here and here.
weddington high school tribute.
on a personal note, hope is still an inspiration.
i give to you, the people who have come here in the name of hope, this forum to share your thoughts and wishes. please be nice, you’re all here for a very, very good reason.
(photo credit: News 14)
hope stoutBetter than being famous, like a person who stars in a really good movie, is being famous as a person who made a difference in someone’s life, and anybody can make a difference is someone’s life.
Hi I hope and pray Hope’s wishes come true.My grandaughters Doris Gowen passed a way when she was 12 and she had her wish come true from Make a Wish foundations. Thank you and
God bless you for the work you all do. I will pray for this wish of Hope’s to come true that’s all I can do right now . Love and prayer Becky Beam-Palacioz
Comment by Becky Beam-Palacioz — December 25, 2003 @ 8:16 pm
i was informed that Hope passed away today, 1/4/04. i want to thank you for your contribution to a truly wonderful young woman. i pray for her family and for God’s strength to uphold them.
blessings.
sabrina
Comment by Sabrina — January 4, 2004 @ 10:23 pm
Always remember Hope Stout and what an inspiration she was and will always continue to be. We love her so much and her family will be in the hearts of many. I encourage everyone to make a contribution to make Hope’s wish come true. God Bless- In His Hands, Jessica and everyone at Hope’s Matthews United Methodist Church- WE LOVE YOU HOPE!
Comment by Jessica — January 4, 2004 @ 11:40 pm
Yes. Hope did pass away tonight. 1/4/04
Comment by T — January 4, 2004 @ 11:42 pm
May she get her wish.
Comment by Richard Soderberg — January 5, 2004 @ 2:52 am
Hope, your church, Matthews United Methodist Church, will love you and keep you in our hearts forever, and your family in our prayers.
Comment by Hillary — January 5, 2004 @ 4:11 pm
may she be granted in the lands above
Comment by hillary gullate — January 5, 2004 @ 5:22 pm
I learned of Hope’s story about a month ago. I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to Hope’s family and friends……I know everyone who has heard this courageous young ladies story will make sure that her wish becomes a reality.
Comment by M — January 5, 2004 @ 7:08 pm
Bless Hope in her new life, and may her family find peace in her sweet memory. Our household supports the “Make-A-Wish Foundation” to the extent we can, and know it is a wonderful blessing to so many families.
Comment by Dani Duniho — January 5, 2004 @ 8:31 pm
Hope was a beautiful young girl who possessed a very positive, strong and selfless way about her. Everyone couldn’t help but love her. I had the brief pleasure of knowing and caring for her during her illness and encourage everyone to contribute to the make a wish foundation so that this courageous young girls wish can become a reality. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Hopes family and friends.
Comment by Karen Whittaker, RN — January 5, 2004 @ 9:02 pm
Hope,may god bless you and keep you. You are one special child! I also wish the best to your family and friends. You are one of those special children that make great angels. I am sorry your family had to lose you, but you have graced all with your special way.
Comment by Julie — January 6, 2004 @ 1:10 pm
Hope’s story touched me deeply. I’m sure she will truely be missed. I just hate that I read her story after she passed away. She didn’t just think of herself she thought about others. Bless her! We are all here for a reason. There are lessons to be learn everyday that we live, One day at a time. To Hope’s family: trust in God he made promises that he said, “will not return back to his mouth without results.”
Comment by Michelle — January 6, 2004 @ 1:20 pm
Hello,
I wish to extend,my condolences,to all of Hope’s family.Her final wish has shown me,that there are still some,selfless young people in this world.We may still have hope to a better future
Comment by Terry Brisbois — January 6, 2004 @ 1:33 pm
If each one of those 156 kids pay it forward in Hope’s memory, what a miracle that would be! God truly blessed them and us with Hope in the world.
Comment by Mary Angel — January 6, 2004 @ 4:25 pm
hope girl i love u so0o0o0 much u will alway be in my heart 4ever i didnt really know u but i would have loved to know u better girl u are alway ganna be their we will all miss u so very much but u will be in are thoughts and memorys i nkow u will be in mine ill try to remmber thee good times we have had love you alway emma
Comment by emma boyle — January 6, 2004 @ 6:18 pm
To Hope’s family, I know I’m sorry doesn’t help the pain any but what else do you say. I lost my brother to suicide a little over two years ago so I know the pain you’re going through. May God be with you. Your Angel is watching over you!
Comment by jeanann — January 6, 2004 @ 6:59 pm
I hope you are in a glorious place now , i pray to god to give hope’s family strengh during this hard time. But Hope you will be in our memoires forever, you will never be forgotten.
Comment by Emily — January 6, 2004 @ 7:57 pm
I AM SO SORRY I JUST FOUND OUT WHAT A WONDERFUL ANGEL HOPE IS. MAY GOD BLESS HER IN HEAVEN-LAND AS HE HAS MADE HER ONE OF HIS SPECIAL ANGELS. PRAYERS FOR YOUR FAMILY. I JUST THANKED GOD FOR MY HEALTY TWO CHILDREN. THIS MAKES US REALIZE JUST HOW BLESSED WE ARE, AND HOW THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE THAT CAN USE OUR PRAYERS. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. YASSIE.
Comment by yassie quinones — January 6, 2004 @ 10:34 pm
I am so sorry that this had to happen to such a wonderful girl like Hope. I just found out about her. I am a 6th grader at an elementary school in California so I told my teacher about her (Hope’s) wish, and she asked if I would like to help her with a fund raiser to help the Make a Wish foundation fulfill Hope’s wish. We will do all we can to help in this mission of acomplishing this touching and helpful task. My condolences to her family and friends. I am extremely sorry about the loss. May her memories live forever.
Comment by Prathima — January 7, 2004 @ 2:42 am
Hey girl we all miss you soooo much down here! Guess what? You know how you always wanted to be on TV and stuff? Well you’ve been on TV and in the paper so many times. You dream is fufilled and soon your wish will be too! We love you so much Hope.
Comment by rach — January 7, 2004 @ 1:22 pm
Hello, I only learned about Hope a few days ago. I knew a lot of people who passed away from cancer or currently have it. I’m 17 years old and I wanna do my part so I’m up at 2 in the morning looking up information on Hope. I’m going to go into school and talk to my vice prinicpal’s from both of my schools to see if they will always a foundraiser to help make Hope’s wish come true. I will update you on my results.
Comment by Danielle — January 8, 2004 @ 2:02 am
I heard the amazing story of Hope on 91.9 (radio) a few weeks ago. Thank you for spreading the word! That day, I made a modest dontation and ordered a Hope Charm for my goddaughter — something I know she will cherish when I give it to her and tell her Hope’s story. A selfless, beautiful little girl, Hope’s memory will live on in the lesson she has taught us all. If you have a special little girl in your life, please consider ordering a Hope Charm for her — to help Hope’s dream come true, to give the families of other suffering children hope, and to serve as a constant reminder of HIS selfless love. My heart goes out to Hope’s family and frineds.
Comment by Linda — January 8, 2004 @ 11:36 am
my prayers are with the stouts right now but we all know heaven has a new, very special angel! Hope uve touched so many and ur legacy will go on! u were on national tv =) ur dream of being famous has come true and your wish will too!! we’ll miss u hopie!
Comment by lauren — January 9, 2004 @ 5:42 pm
hope ws a great friend and she is very missed. stouts- we r a ll sry 4 ur loss
Comment by erica — January 9, 2004 @ 10:40 pm
*HOPE*
THANK GOD YOU ARE NOT IN PAIN ANY MORE!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU THAT YOU ARE WITH THE LORD!! WE MISS YOU AND WE WILL CONTIUE TO PRAY FOR YOU’S PARENTS, AND FAMILY, MR. AND MRS. STOUT, THE LORD IS WITH YOU.. EVERYONE WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU THROUGH THESE TOUGH TIMES, GOD ALWAYS TAKES THE GOOD ONES DONT THEY?! HOPE WAS AN AMAZING GIRL WITH ALOT OF COURAGE, AND *HOPE* SHE WAS AN ANGEL FILLED WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR EVERYONE. I NEVER KNEW HOPE BUT I WISH I DID,I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO KNOW HER PERSONALLY, SHE SEEMED SOO SWEET, IM SURE SHE WAS. I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YALL. ~!GOD BLESS!~
Comment by CARSON L. — January 10, 2004 @ 11:08 pm
Hey, this is Taylor, i was just wanting to let the Stout family know that i am tring to raise money as best as i can from my new school. I i know that this time is very difficult, but we all need to remember that she is in Heavan know and that it is much better than EARTH. i really miss her sweet smiling face. She mite not have remembered me but i knew exactly who that beautiful Redhead was. she was so sweet to others and she was very respectful. i really wish that i could have gooten close to her. i really miss her.Just remember that when we all die or when Christ comes again, that is going to be the best time in our lives, just seeing Hope’s loving, caring, and smiling face, as we all enter into Heaven. i am praying especilly for the Stouts and Hope. I reallly believe in Hope’s wish. PLEASE HELP MAKE IT COME TRUE!!Taylor Morris
Comment by Taylor Morris — January 12, 2004 @ 8:16 pm
Hope,
We shouldn’t think of you as gone, for you are looking down at us. Watching our every move, watching what we say. For we will see your smiling face again. God bless!
Comment by Erin G. — March 6, 2004 @ 5:47 pm
i just wanted to send a prayer to hopes and family. I wish everyones wish comes true. Because doris gowens wish came true and thats my best friend from puckett. I really miss her.
Comment by amanda — July 26, 2005 @ 8:57 am
i went to school with Hope we were in the same grade and had two classes together. she was so sweet and always had a smile.
Comment by Cami — November 13, 2005 @ 5:22 pm
hope was my neighbor and best friend ever since i was 4 years old. i miss her terribly but i know she is in a greater place
Comment by W — March 7, 2006 @ 8:44 pm
Wow!Hope’s story really changed me.The people that nkew her were so lucky.
Comment by Morgan — July 16, 2007 @ 2:32 pm