Sky Foundation created the Shine Like Sheila Award to honor the legacy of founder and pancreatic cancer survivor Sheila Kasselman, whose passion and perseverance continue to guide our mission. Sheila dedicated her life to raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and funding groundbreaking research. Her optimism and courage inspired everyone around her—she truly shined like the brightest star in the sky.
In her spirit of hope and unwavering determination, Sky Foundation proudly recognizes those who embody her values through this annual award.
This year, we were honored to present the Shine Like Sheila Award to Mark and Lori Wayne, two extraordinary volunteers whose generosity and enthusiasm have made a lasting impact on Sky’s work. After attending the Night Sky Gala for the past two years, Mark and Lori were deeply moved by the organization’s mission—and wasted no time getting involved.
What began as assisting with the silent auction quickly evolved into leading efforts for the live auction and joining the fundraising committee. They penned heartfelt letters to friends, family, and local businesses, rallying their community to support pancreatic cancer research and awareness. When an auction item proved difficult to secure, they personally visited donors, inspiring contributions through genuine passion and purpose.
Through creativity, connection, and perseverance, Mark and Lori helped curate one of the most exciting auction lineups to date—helping make this year’s gala a tremendous success.
Sky Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to Mark and Lori Wayne for their well-deserved recognition. Their dedication truly embodies what it means to Shine Like Sheila.
Between the silent and the live auction – their efforts were able to garner in over $21,500 in donations, in addition to getting all of the items completely donated at no cost to Sky.