Community goes ‘pink’ for Sarah Gardner
The Adair County community went “pink” for Sarah Irvin-Gardner’s 30th birthday this past Friday with support from community organizations and celebrities.
T-shirts were sold last week labeled “Hope for Sarah.” More than 1,250 t-shirts were sold.
More than 100 people came out for a photo for Sarah’s birthday. Others throughout the community gathered for photos for Sarah. Sarah’s sister Erica Higginbotham wrote on the Caring Bridge website that they received more than 200 emails full of “pink out” photos.
“The pictures of the Pink Out have been awesome and overwhelming,” Erica wrote.
Throughout the day on Friday, Sarah received calls from celebrities. Dolly Parton sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Other celebrities that called her were singers Rascal Flatts, the Kentucky Headhunters, Jeremy Camp, actress Jennifer Carpenter and NFL star David Akers.
Sarah’s husband Stephen Gardner wrote on the website as well.
“Even with all the phone calls, it still was amazing how many people were wearing pink,” Stephen wrote. “I still today can’t believe the outpouring of support, and I can not thank everyone enough for what they were able to accomplish, which was probably create the best 30th birthday party anyone could receive … it truly was something special.”
Sarah was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was 26 years old. She gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Caroline Kay Gardner on June 28.
For updates on Sarah, got to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarahgardner.
By Allison Hollon
allison@accvonline.com
