“We probably would not have survived if it weren’t for this place.”
Of the many people connected to Children’s Harbor, few have a story quite like that of Mary Kathryn Fletcher. She was introduced to Children’s Harbor when she received a brain tumor diagnosis in July of 2007. As a first-time hospital patient, she was hesitant to leave the room, fearful she might experience a medical crisis away from her clinical team. But when someone stopped by Mary Kathryn’s room with a flyer promoting The Harbor Family Center, she found her outlet. An indoor facility absent of the typical hospital setting and conveniently close to Mary Kathryn’s hospital room made The Harbor a “home away from home” for the Fletcher family. Whether it was having fun at the nightly parties, playing the claw machine, or even getting a visit from Elvis, The Harbor offered a joyful escape time and time again. Mary Kathryn remembered how impactful it was “having a place where our family could just be a normal family.” A couple of Mary Kathryn’s favorite memories from her approximately 60-day hospital stay include a post-surgery ping pong game with her dad and singing “really, really bad” karaoke. Staff at the front desk became like family, her source of comfort when her mom couldn’t attend a treatment. The Harbor Family Center was Mary Kathryn’s refuge.
Mary Kathryn felt a strong connection to Children’s Harbor, becoming a volunteer in 2010 and participating in public speaking engagements promoting our mission. She was given the opportunity of a lifetime when she shared her story with Auburn Basketball Head Coach Bruce Pearl after he moved to Alabama—unaware that her heartfelt testimony would contribute to his desire to support our mission through the longstanding Bruce Pearl Fore the Children Golf Tournament, which supports Children’s Harbor.
In 2022, Mary Kathryn joined the Children’s Harbor Junior Board, which provided even more opportunities to support families facing challenges, challenges she faced as well. She became more knowledgeable of Children’s Harbor, learning about our camps at Lake Martin and our partnerships, such as the UAB Champions for our Children football game with UAB Football.
Her connection to our mission didn’t stop there. This year, Mary Kathryn deepened her relationship to Children’s Harbor, becoming a counselor at The Harbor Family Center, witnessing our mission through the lense of an employee. This role has made her incredibly appreciative of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, and the genuine sincerity of our staff. In fact, her favorite thing about Children’s Harbor is the dedicated staff—without them, it wouldn’t be the special place that it is. The Harbor is one of Mary Kathryn’s “happiest places” and “one of the top five places” she’s ever felt the safest.
For the children skeptical to leave their hospital room, Mary Kathryn offers words of encouragement, “Don’t think this is just for little kids, like ‘there is nothing there for me as a teenager.’ There is something here for everybody. Even if it’s just a haircut or learning how to play ping pong one-handed…just come at least once.” If you’re like Mary Kathryn, you won’t regret it. We can’t wait to see the way Mary Kathryn aids families in her work, sustaining them through their medical journeys, because she, too, has walked in their shoes.
