Heather Hackett has spent the last several hurricane seasons doing the same thing: showing up. As founder of the nonprofit Local Relief, she built a platform that became a lifeline for Sarasota and Manatee county residents after hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton. Now she’s facing stage IV metastatic melanoma that has spread to her brain, liver and lungs, and the community she served is being asked to serve her back.
The diagnosis arrived fast. A small spot was removed just weeks ago and believed to be caught early. Then came sudden dizziness and double vision, which sent her to the emergency room for scans. She has since completed eight radiation sessions at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, with more treatment planned. Her family says she depleted her own savings to keep Local Relief running, and an online fundraiser is now covering medical costs, potential evacuations, transportation, lodging, nursing and equipment.
Earlier this year, the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honored Hackett with the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award. Chris Johnson, interim CEO of United Way of South Sarasota County, put it plainly: if you look up humanitarian in the dictionary, her picture should be there. Her family also hopes to bring her home to eastern Ohio. If you’ve ever relied on Local Relief, or you just believe the helper deserves help, the fundraiser link is worth your time. Have you used Local Relief after a storm? Tell us what it meant to your neighborhood.
