On Erin's Wings
About Erin
Erin Michelle Mobley was a bubbly two-and-a-half-year-old little girl who always wore a smile on her face, warmed the hearts of those she touched, and with a bat of her big brown eyes could charm her way into your life. She had an older brother whom she adored and two perfect friends who taught her how to catch lizards and climb trees, not exactly what her mommy had in mind but she was full of love and life and that was important too!
Erin was two and a half when she was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer tumor called neuroblastoma. Such a BIG word for a LITTLE girl but Erin’s vocabulary quickly grew as she learned to pronounce words like chemotherapy and medications like cytoxan and adriamycin. As trips to the hospital and clinic became weekly, her little world changed so quickly as did her family life too!
She endured numerous surgeries and frightening cancer treatments, but Erin rarely cried or complained. Instead, she bravely faced each new challenge and won the hearts of all that she met.
The little girl who always smiled and giggled and wore pretty bows in her once curly brown hair lost her battle with cancer following an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant in 1983, ten days shy of her fourth birthday.
Erin’s inspiration and wisdom did not cease to exist when she was laid to rest, understanding what families faced and the reality of dealing with a terminally ill child, Erin became a guiding light to her mother.
Twenty years later, a mother’s pain of losing a child still exists. Still, on Erin’s Wings, there is new hope for children today through the efforts of Candlelighters of Southwest Florida, a local charity her mommy started in 1983 to help kids just like Erin and their brothers and sisters too!
It is my hope in the spirit of giving that Erin’s Wings will continue to light our way … your generous gift is greatly appreciated.
Erin’s inspiration and wisdom did not cease to exist when she was laid to rest, understanding what families faced and the reality of dealing with a terminally ill child, Erin became a guiding light to her mother.
Our Mission
To provide support, education and assistance to families of children with cancer or blood disorders and the professionals who care for them.
Candlelighters of Southwest Florida
Candlelighters is a local affiliate of ACCO founded in 1983 by Klair Snellbaker; a parent of a child diagnosed with cancer. Klair continues today assisting families of children with cancer and blood disorders throughout their journey. Candlelighters serves approximately 450 families in a five-county area — Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, and Glades — providing support, education, and advocacy to children as well as the professionals who care for them. The Candlelighters organization is a vital source of inspiration, emotional support, and assistance for newly diagnosed families, those in treatment, long-term survivors, those suffering from long-term effects of treatments, children undergoing bone marrow treatments, and to bereaved families.