Rudy and Beverly Bess established the Hope Light Project in July 2005 to increase cancer awareness to enable people to recognize cancer signs and symptoms, detect cancer early, take immediate action to get help and save lives.
On the morning of July 4, 2005, Rudy and Beverly learned that both a family member and a good friend died from cancer within 15 minutes of each other at/about 3:00 am. This was devastating news which drove the couple to establish a foundation to help others become knowledgeable of how to detect, fight and survive cancer. Rudy lost his mom and several other aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins to cancer. It became obvious from his personal experiences in helping his family members fight cancer and his discussions with other cancer victims that not enough attention was afforded to communicating awareness of cancer signs and symptoms to enable early detection. Knowledge of what to look for to detect cancer early is power and with this power lives can be saved and dreams can be realized. With knowledge of cancer signs and symptoms, self-exams and screening tests, cancer could be detected early while it remains in the organ of origin. If immediate action is taken at the first sign of cancer to seek medical help, cancer can be treated before it spreads to adjacent tissues, lymph nodes and to other organs. Early cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment could lead to survivorship and a full and active life. The Hope Light Foundation believes that the fight against cancer begins with knowledge and with this knowledge comes empowerment to make informed decisions on personal health matters and cancer treatment options. To make an informed decision, a person must understand the cancer; comprehend what the clinical treatment involves, including benefits, risks, limitations and alternatives; has considered personal preferences; and makes a decision consistent with these preferences and considerations. With empowerment comes strength that builds Hope; Hope for tomorrow, Hope for survivorship and Hope for a cure! This is our Story and this is our Hope for each cancer victim! 
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The Hope Light Team Board of Directors
Rudy Bess - Founding Director Beverly Bess - Co-Founder/Cancer Survivor Beth A. Lynn - Director Manager - Bus Opns Financial Services Sector - IBM John Davis - Director Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Mike Murray, Ph.D. - Director Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Medical Advisory Board John DiPersio, M.D. - Advisor Deputy Director – Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO Nancy Larson, BSN, RN, CN - Advisor Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO Legal Counsel/Foundation Development David Freyman - Attorney Attorney at Law – Freyman & Maltagliati, P.C. St. Louis, MO Endorsements St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA) St. Louis, MO Beth Hudson, President Siteman Cancer Center Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO Dr. Timothy Eberlein, Director The Hope Light Foundation The Hope Light Foundation is a "public charity” with nonprofit 509(a)(1) and 501(c)(3) federal tax status. The Foundation is the funding source for The Hope Light Project. Funding sources for the Foundation includes corporate and individual charitable donations, such as, cash/checks, real estate, wills, trusts, life insurance, and stock gift transfers. 
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