TYLER, Texas (KETK) - It was a special night for families with children fighting cancer, as they were celebrated in Tyler by the Gold Network of East Texas. Event goers raised funds, awareness, and spirit in the Piney Woods.

"This is not a sad night, this is a celebration of the bravery of these kids," Founder and Executive Director of Gold Network of East Texas Heather Rucker said.

The gold network now has 160 families connected and sharing their journeys together, but when the organization started in 2015, it had only one family.

"Like many organizations here, your purpose comes from your pain, so my son was diagnosed with infantile leukemia when he was 7 months old," Rucker said.

She explained that through her family's battle against cancer, she realized how many families felt isola

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