Our Story
 All Dolled Up in the HospitalHolly Ann Wade December 12, 2001 - July 1, 2016 |  She is bornBaby Holly is born - December 12, 2001 |  Dad with HollyDad enjoying his beautiful daughter, Holly. |  Those eyesBeautiful Holly with eyes that could melt any heart |  Holly with teddyHolly at age 18 months with her lovey |
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 Halloween, age 4Holly, age 4, celebrating Halloween |  Holly with Big Sister, NatalieChristmas time with the sisters. Holly, age 6 |  Holy CommunionReceiving first Holy Communion - age 8 |  What a smileHolly's contagious and continuous smile. |  School DaysFirst day of 3rd grade |
 Girls on the RunGirls on the Run Fun, age 10 |  SoftballSoftball!! |  Age 11Holly, age 11 |  Holly the ReporterHolly interviewing Senator Graham for CKN News |  Anchor of Kids News ShowHolly on the set of CKN News as the Anchor. |
 Holly and LiamShowering her brother with love:) |  The kidsHanging with brother Liam and sister, Natalie. |  Swimming with DolphinsHolly swimming with the Dolphins in Cancun. |  Headshot for EvolutionHolly's headshot for her Agent |  Photo ShootHolly at a photo shoot for a magazine. |
 1st Day of SymptomsFirst day of symptoms at the premiere of the film, Love Letters, which Holly was in. She began vomiting during the film - October 1, 2015. |  Last HalloweenHolly's last Halloween with good buddies - 10/31/15 |  5-Days Before We Find Tumor5-days before the brain tumor is discovered by the MRI |  Support from CommunityOutpouring of support |  RecoveringFew weeks after surgery, Holly can sit up. |
 Holly with her PTHolly with her lead PT at Levine's In-house Rehabilitation |  RehabREHAB and lots of it - inpatient through Levine's Hospital in Charlotte, NC |  More RehabMore Rehab. Trying to get movement to return to right side. |  Medics love HollyThe Medics who transported Holly to radiation each day - showered her with a few gifts. |  Radiation TeamHolly's Radiation Team at Levine Cancer Institute - This was her last treatment. |
 SkydivingSKYDIVING!! On Holly's bucket list. Still partially paralyzed, but did it anyway and LOVED it!! |  Great FriendsCelebrating her skydive with great friends who witnessed her do it! |  Ansel ElgortMeeting an idol - Ansel Elgort through Make a Wish Foundation on the set of Baby Driver. |  Clinical Trial in AugustaHolly at a Ronald McDonald House with mom, aunt and cousin in Augusta, GA while she partook in a clinical trial. |  8th Grade FormalStill remarkably beautiful. She still put on a smile and attended her 8th grade formal. This was less than a month before she passed away. |
 8th Grade Formal with IanFeeling very sick, but still showing some sass with date, Ian:) |  Feeling Ill AgainBack in the hospital |  |  Holly at PeaceRest in Peace Holly, Our Angel |
On December 10, 2015, two days before Holly’s 14th birthday, an MRI uncovered a tumor resting in the thalamus section of her brain. Holly was in surgery the next day to remove it, however, a biopsy revealed the devastating diagnosis - Grade 4 Gliosarcoma; a very rare, and very aggressive form of cancer. Holly exited surgery unable to speak and paralyzed on her right side. And so, her battle began with a two-month initial hospital stay, extensive rehabilitation, chemotherapy, radiation, an out-of-state experimental trial, nutrition regime and supplement program, additional hospitalizations, hospice and more.
It was during Holly’s treatments that her parents, Bill and Christine Wade, learned of the profound financial needs of families caring for sick and injured children. Parents were losing all they had worked so hard to obtain - jobs, homes, utilities, transportation. The financial costs and time required to care for a child in need is staggering. They spoke with parents who had to decide whether to pay a medical bill or the mortgage, or to stay with their hospitalized child or to go to work. The burden of making these decisions on top of the news that a child is critically ill is too much for anyone.
Fortunately for the Wade family, their friends and family offered tremendous support, and the logo and phrase “Hands for Holly” was developed to help them during their crisis; however, not all families are afforded the same help. This is where Hands for Holly Fund plays a critical role. We believe that families caring for their child should focus their energy on their loved one, and less on where to find the money to keep the lights on. We would like to pay forward the initial hands intended for Holly and offer assistance to others in need.
Unfortunately Holly lost her battle on July 1, 2016, but not before she worked with her mother to define the mission of the Hands for Holly Fund. She was proud to be able to help others through her illness. She was a remarkable girl who will be continually honored through this endeavor.