February 12, 2026 • 30 mins
Today we’re joined by Sharon Snyder, Executive Director of Kisses for Kyle—and Kyle’s mom—along with Jessica Baskin, Community Outreach Specialist and a direct beneficiary of the organization’s support.
As Kisses for Kyle celebrates its 25th year of service, Sharon reflects on a journey born from love, loss, and an unwavering promise to her son. What began as one mother’s mission has grown into a powerful lifeline for families facing childhood cancer—providing financial assistance, emotional support, holiday programs, family-centered events, and a compassionate community during some of life’s most difficult moments.
In this conversation, we talk about the organization’s remarkable growth—now serving more than 700 families annually through 40 programs—and the recent completion of its largest holiday season yet, supporting 377 families and more than 900 children. Sharon also shares the vision behind Kyle’s Korner, a new gathering space designed to give families comfort, connection, and respite.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or learning about Kisses for Kyle for the first time, this episode is a reminder of the power of community, legacy, and love in action.
Connect with Kisses for Kyle 🌐 Website: https://kissesforkyle.org
📸 Instagram: @kissesforkyle
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kissesforkyle
To donate, volunteer, or learn more about supporting families facing childhood cancer, visit their website or follow them on social media for upcoming events and initiatives.
In this month’s SpeakOUT segment, our ongoing feature exploring LGBTQIA+ issues and their intersection with the broader population, we’re joined by Angela Giampolo, founder of Giampolo Law Group and author of the Philly Gay Lawyer blog.
Angela breaks down the Heritage Foundation’s latest national initiative, “Saving America by Saving the Family,” which focuses on reshaping federal policy to promote marriage and increase birth rates. The proposal includes marriage “bootcamps,” direct financial incentives for newlyweds, and reversing welfare policies that supporters argue discourage marriage.
We examine what a “family-centric” federal policy approach could mean in practice—particularly for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families whose structures may not align with traditional definitions of the nuclear family.
What are the legal implications? Who benefits—and who could be excluded? And how might these proposals impact marriage equality, reproductive rights, and diverse family models across the country?
As always, SpeakOUT explores not just policy—but how those policies intersect with real lives, real families, and the broader American community.
📚 Learn more:
Learn more & connect with Angela Giampolo / Giampolo Law:
Angela Giampolo / Giampolo Law Group 🌐 Website: https://www.giampololaw.com
📸 Instagram: @giampololaw
🐦 X (Twitter): @PhillyGayLawyer
📘 Facebook: Giampolo Law Group For more information on “Saving America by Saving the Family,” visit the Heritage Foundation website.
As Kisses for Kyle celebrates its 25th year of service, Sharon reflects on a journey born from love, loss, and an unwavering promise to her son. What began as one mother’s mission has grown into a powerful lifeline for families facing childhood cancer—providing financial assistance, emotional support, holiday programs, family-centered events, and a compassionate community during some of life’s most difficult moments.
In this conversation, we talk about the organization’s remarkable growth—now serving more than 700 families annually through 40 programs—and the recent completion of its largest holiday season yet, supporting 377 families and more than 900 children. Sharon also shares the vision behind Kyle’s Korner, a new gathering space designed to give families comfort, connection, and respite.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or learning about Kisses for Kyle for the first time, this episode is a reminder of the power of community, legacy, and love in action.
Connect with Kisses for Kyle 🌐 Website: https://kissesforkyle.org
📸 Instagram: @kissesforkyle
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kissesforkyle
To donate, volunteer, or learn more about supporting families facing childhood cancer, visit their website or follow them on social media for upcoming events and initiatives.
In this month’s SpeakOUT segment, our ongoing feature exploring LGBTQIA+ issues and their intersection with the broader population, we’re joined by Angela Giampolo, founder of Giampolo Law Group and author of the Philly Gay Lawyer blog.
Angela breaks down the Heritage Foundation’s latest national initiative, “Saving America by Saving the Family,” which focuses on reshaping federal policy to promote marriage and increase birth rates. The proposal includes marriage “bootcamps,” direct financial incentives for newlyweds, and reversing welfare policies that supporters argue discourage marriage.
We examine what a “family-centric” federal policy approach could mean in practice—particularly for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families whose structures may not align with traditional definitions of the nuclear family.
What are the legal implications? Who benefits—and who could be excluded? And how might these proposals impact marriage equality, reproductive rights, and diverse family models across the country?
As always, SpeakOUT explores not just policy—but how those policies intersect with real lives, real families, and the broader American community.
📚 Learn more:
Learn more & connect with Angela Giampolo / Giampolo Law:
Angela Giampolo / Giampolo Law Group 🌐 Website: https://www.giampololaw.com
📸 Instagram: @giampololaw
🐦 X (Twitter): @PhillyGayLawyer
📘 Facebook: Giampolo Law Group For more information on “Saving America by Saving the Family,” visit the Heritage Foundation website.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to What's going on, a show
about making a difference in our lives and our communities.
I'm Lorraine Ballot Morrow we'll bring you our monthly features
Speak Out with Angela Giampolo, where we take a look
at issues impacting the LGBTQIA community and how these issues
affect us all But first, today, we're joined by Sharon Snyder,
(00:20):
executive director of Kisses for Kyle and Kyle's mom Jessica
Baskin is community outreached specialist and someone who's also benefited
from this organization. As the organization marks its twenty fifth
year of service, Sharon and Jessica reflect on a powerful
journey born from love and loss. What began as a
(00:42):
mother's promise has grown into a trusted lifeline for families
facing childhood cancer, providing compassionate support, meaningful programs, and a
sense of community during some of life's most difficult moments.
So let's start with you, Sharon, take us back to
the beginning. How did Kisses for Kyle's start and what
was the mission you set out to fulfill in Kyle's
(01:04):
name twenty five years ago?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
So after my son Kyle lost his life to leukemia.
In nineteen ninety eight, we started a memorial fund in
his memory, and the funds that we raised and the
support would go to local families whose children were facing
a cancer diagnosis like ours. It really honestly got me
out of bed in the morning, and you know, we
(01:28):
raised funds to help chop that's where Kyle was traded
for chop oncology, the Roald McDonald House, and also the
Leukemia Society, where I was on their committee for the
very first Late the Night walk And it was fulfilling,
but I felt like I needed to do something in
his name every day and hear his name in a
(01:50):
loving way and created kisses for Kyle without any experience,
really just a drive to continue to take care of
him moving forward, so he wasn't just a memory of
the past that we would look back on.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
You wanted to create a legacy.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yes, yeah, you know. I his mom, and when we
lost him, I continued to have that title, but I
wasn't able to mother him. So that was my first
purpose to continue to mother him with baby steps moving forward.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
As you enter this twenty five year milestone, what does
this anniversary mean to you personally and what does it
represent for the families you continue to serve.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So last year, you know, every year, I'll say we're
entering whichever year it is, And it took me a
couple of months to recognize, oh my gosh, we're in
our twenty fourth year, we're heading into our twenty fifth year,
and we're not just standing, we're still growing. And for
me on a personal level, it's been a very healing
(03:01):
journey with grief. You learn to carry it and incorporate
it into your life. And you know, I carry the
heaviness with me, but I also carry a lot of joy.
I don't know that my life would be as fulfilling
and with purpose if I didn't do this. So when
(03:22):
I set out to, as mentioned, take care of Kyle
in a different way, by default, I recognized that it
was healing for me and I just didn't want to
give it up. I really couldn't give it up because
I couldn't imagine being in that dark place. It's been
(03:45):
a light. I feel his spirit. I feel like it
guides us throughout our journey, you know, as one big
group of a family, for our families, I've seen a
lot of healing, you know, I've seen a lot of desperation,
and you know, our worlds are flipped upside down without
(04:09):
our say yeah and to be able to be some
sort of resemblance of sanity and healing and care. I've
seen a lot of positivity in our families in different
ways throughout the whole twenty five year journey.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah yeah, yeah, So Jessica, I'm going to have you
step up to the microphone. You are a community outreach
specialist and also really kind of an ambassador because you
have benefited from Kisses for Kyle, and I wonder if
you can tell us more about what Kisses for Kyle
does for families and how has this organization directly benefited
(04:54):
your family.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
My daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in twenty twenty one.
It was the day after her sixth birthday. She's okay now.
Luckily she was also treated at chop In the beginning
of her treatment, I met with two other moms in
my town who have unfortunately also gone through cancer diagnosis
with their children, and one of the first things they
(05:18):
recommended to me was looking into Kisses for Kyle. So
once I did that, it just opened up this whole
other world for us where we weren't feeling so secluded,
and it not only is benefiting your child, but the
entire family. So, for instance, Sharon would have these events
(05:42):
that we could go to. I'll use our Ocean City
Day as an example where we weren't just bringing my
sick daughter but her sister to who is something that
people may not realize is the siblings are often, for
good reason, left out of the hospital rooms and the
clinic appointments and the constant treatment that you're going to
(06:03):
with your child. And even those aren't those aren't exciting
fun things, they often feel left out. And so this
gave us so many bright spots throughout our daughter's journey
where everything is feeling kind of low and difficult and
you have something to look forward to. So, for instance,
(06:26):
we have this Socian City Day that I mentioned where
on the boardwalk the kids get to do the rides
and they get to eat all kinds of food. There's
lots of different things like paddle boarding, family photos, bofish makeovers,
just arts and crafts. So it's one of our favorite
days of the year that we do with Kisses for Kyle,
and so many families take advantage of it and it's
(06:48):
just so joyful. To see everybody there. Their kids are
so carefree and so as a parent, sorry, it's just
wonderful to be able to go, oh, not worry about
anything else. Yeah, and to see your kid being a kid.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Sorry, I knew I would, no, just I totally understand.
I think you know. I think it's true that unless
you are in your shoes, we don't know what that's like, right,
We don't know. There's no way we can be apathetic.
We can say we can be sympathetic, but to be
(07:27):
in a room or be in a space where other
parents and other kids and other siblings and other extended
family members are experiencing it, then you have a family,
you know, like a village that really understands you and
supports you in ways that perhaps someone like me who
(07:48):
has never experienced that particular situation would not be able
to truly do as fully as you're able to experience
through this organization.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Right, Yeah, it definitely helps you have more of a
sense of community. And I just think your support structure
through anything difficult like this is so important. And kisses
for Kyle definitely helps kind of just land you into
this group of people who, even if you're not necessarily
best friends with who you meet there, you know that
you're in it together and they all have some level
(08:21):
of understanding. And then I should mention that on top
of Sharon has kisses Kyle as tons of different partnerships,
and on top of that, she also helps with things
that I didn't even realize at the time, which she
can go into more, but financial aid and lodging pantry
items at families who are traveling and not expecting, you know,
(08:44):
to be at a hospital for so long, you're not
coming bringing everything with you. Yeah, So it just goes
so deep, and.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
I think what's so special is that Sharon and the
organization understands what is needed and in ways that perhaps
your regular person wouldn't even think of. As you mentioned,
who knew that someone would be traveling, didn't expect to
be there for a month or two and they need
things and who would think of that? But apparently Cases
(09:15):
for Kyle is doing that. Sharon, I'm going to have
you go back to the microphone, and I wonder if
you can talk about Kyle's Corner, which is something new,
a new space designed for families to gather, rest and connect.
Share more about your vision and why it's so important
right now.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I'm so excited for this to launch. One of our
longtime partners now has a nonprofit and they're delivered difference.
They have the space where we're going to be able
to bring our families multiple layers of support. I've been
wanting and hoping to have Kyle's Corner for many years,
(09:58):
and now it's happening in our t fifth your anniversary,
which makes it extra special. We're going to be launching
support groups and we're breaking them down so they'll be
for our children Warriors, super SIPs on and off treatment
(10:18):
and supercips for bereavement, and then we're also going to
offer and that's going to be for different age levels
so they're with their peers. We're also going to offer
for parents bereavement support and also other types of support
where it's just mentioned. They're going to be with those
(10:41):
who have an understanding and led by licensed therapists who
has the expertise to be able to provide the support
in a loving kind way to help with the healing process.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
I think what people often forget is that kids pross
this grief very differently than adults do, and so to
have something that's really informed from the perspective of understanding
what kids and teenagers go through sounds just critical.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It is critical, and as you both mentioned, until you
go through any kind of trauma, none of us can
fully understand it. And I tell our families often that
we have the day before in the day after, none
of us knew and you can talk our family members.
I remember feeling exhausted with close friends and family that
(11:39):
know me very well, but they didn't know that part
of me, and there's no way they could. If I
was on the other end of it, there was no
way I would have been able to understand it. Compassion, empathy, sympathy,
as you mentioned, it's all there, you know, for those
that were close with But to have the community to
(12:03):
embrace and to fall into, to land into knowing you
don't even have to say anything. You're surrounded by others
who get it, that feel safe, you know. I'm very
grateful to our community who believes in us, who allows
us to partner with them to be able to grow
like this. And now with Kyle's Corner, we'll have the
(12:27):
therapy offered to our families that we've never been able
to do before. We're launching it with a fun music
Bingo night. We're going to be giving out lots of gifts,
We're going to be doing movie evenings, art clubs. We're
partnering with Ali's Orchestra so they can have music therapy
(12:49):
in a fun way. Then we have a lot of
other ideas that we're going to implement over the year.
So it's kind of like a culmination of what we
offer in different remote locations, bringing it all together one.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Space, centralizing all the different pieces of pisses for Kyle.
Are you planning any big events around your organization's twenty
fifth anniversary.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yes, we are looking to do a big walk with
one of our partners, the Philadelphia Union. Super excited and nice,
thank you. And you know, we do a lot of
virtual events, just most I have to say, we do
a lot of event raisers as opposed to fundraisers. We're
very fortunate again, you know, with our community with giving
(13:36):
and supporting us and believing in us. So we have
the opportunity to focus more on our big family days,
you know, as Jess mentioned, with Ocean City, that's our
biggest day of the year. We have about seven hundred
plus family members joining us. It's a whole day where
(13:57):
they don't have to worry about a thing. Everything's covered
one hundred percent for them. Then we work with the
Phillies and know as mentioned with the Union, we work
with Macy's where they get to have fun shopping sprees.
So I know there's going to be a lot of
celebrations all year long. YEA, hoping to do it a
(14:17):
little more golden than normal.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Yeah, yeah, I'm going to get back to you in
just a second, but I'd like Jessica to come back
and tell us all the different ways that we can
get in touch with Kisses for Kyle and find out
more about all these many events, or also ways in
which we can support the organization.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
We are on social media if you want to follow
along and see firsthand our families enjoying some of our events.
Like Sharon mentioned, we also have a contact and donation
button directly on our website because just for Kyle dot Org,
that's one of the best ways to reach out to us.
We're also a small team, so when you're getting a response,
(15:01):
it's likely one of us or just a couple other people, so.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
You need volunteers.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
We do have volunteers. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, sorry, I
just meant like the day to day email response. Oh
my gosh, a ton of volunteers. Especially our past holiday
gift giving season was just amazing, and we are so
thankful to all the individuals and the companies that work
(15:29):
with us to make it all possible.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Yeah, you helped I think nine hundred kids something like that. Yeah,
go to a thousand while that's amazing. And over the
course of the organization you are supporting seven hundred families
every year, which is phenomenal. Sharon, I'm going to give
you the last word here. And they often say that
(15:53):
when you lose someone, they always remain alive as long
as to have their memory and speak their name. So
I wonder if you could tell us share with us
what was Kyle Like.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
This is where I'm gonna get all emissional right, Oh
such a joy. I remember when I was pregnant, I
literally was jumping on my bed because I feel like
to this day I was born to be a mom.
(16:29):
And from the moment I held him, he had such
a gentle way about him, his spirit. You know, you
hear the term old soul. That's I think of him
that way. So funny. He had such a great sense
of humor, and just in his loving ways. You know,
(16:53):
we were so connected and he loved spending time with
his family. He dove into spending time with his friends,
always smiling even during his treatment. You know, it was
very difficult, and he was also strong. He would protest
(17:16):
no more medicine. He would say that over and over again,
but he did it as a champ, did what he
had to do. He trusted in us and trusted in
his team, and when he was well enough, he didn't
skip a beat. He just was in the moment and
(17:36):
is to this day.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Sorry, yeah, it's okay.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
An inspiration.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Well, you know here it is cases for Kyle. Kyle
continues to impact so many people, not only obviously you
and your family, but the many families that are supported
and touched by this organization. And in doing so, you
do keep his presence alive as long as the organization continues,
(18:10):
as long as we can speak his name. Yes, he
will live, he will live on. And you know, in
my own experience, you've made him come alive for me
and kisses for Kyle is doing wonderful work for the
many families who are going through what you've experienced and
coming from a very deeply understanding what families go through,
(18:35):
whether it's the parents, whether it's the siblings, whether it's
that extended village. Kisses for Kyle is there for those
who are living with children facing childhood cancer, providing compassionate support,
meaningful programs, and a sense of community during some of
life's most difficult moments. Thank you so much, Sharon Snyder,
(18:57):
executive director of Kisses for Kyle, Kyle's mom, and also
Jessica Baskin, community outreach specialist and someone who has directly
benefited from the program Kisses for Kyle, So once again,
thank you so much for sharing your words about this
organization which is touching so many people.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
So thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
We're joined once again by Angela Giampolo, founder of Gmpolo
Law Group, for our monthly speak Out segment where we
explore issues affecting the LGBTQIA plus community and also how
they intersect with the broader population. So Angela, it's always
a pleasure to have you with us. And there is
(19:41):
a big report out of the Heritage Foundation that has
potential implications for not only LGBTQ plus folks, but folks
in general.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Tell us more truly, it really impacts again everyone. It's
one hundred and sixty p manifesto. It took me several
weeks to get through, but the findings are bleak really
for so many different people. It's called saving America by
Saving the Family, but really it's not an essay, if
(20:16):
you will, on family values, but instead a blueprint a
for the next two hundred and fifty years. So they
released it now because we're celebrating America's two hundred and
fiftieth year anniversary this year. So this is their blueprint
for governance for the next two hundred and fifty years.
(20:37):
This is the same group that authored Project twenty twenty five,
and Project twenty twenty five has been accomplished. Everything on
there is either in motion or has literally been checked off.
And so this is their next step, and it's a
blueprint for governance in utilizing law funding to create a
(20:58):
new narrative that that ultimately the government rewards certain folks
that they want to recognize. And they do so in
three very distinct ways. A through setting definitions, definition setting
brand new definitions around again who the government wants to recognize. Secondly,
(21:22):
around spending, and we've seen that this whole year that
if the administration wants to get something done, they pull
the purse strings attached and say, if you don't do xyz,
then you don't get said funding. And then the third
is through what they call litigation posturing. So they are
setting the foundation now and setting the government benefits and
(21:47):
rewards now in such a way that when there are
lawsuits later, they've already set up their posturing to have
put forth what the government interest is in. You know,
these roles that they're trying to create. So definition, setting, spending,
and getting ahead of future litigation now is sort of
(22:11):
the first step of this manifesto.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
I wonder if you can explain more to the layperson.
First of all, I admire you for slogging through one
hundred and fifty page report so that we didn't have to.
But when it talks when you talk about definition, what
does that actually mean and how does it impact the
LGBTQI plus community but also the rest of us.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
The number one definition is in what they deem to
be a natural marriage, and that they would only recognize
a marriage made up of a male and a female,
and that parents are not interchangeable, so that parents can
only be made up of a male and a female,
so you can't have two male parents, you can't have
(23:00):
two female parents. And structuring all of that around again
the best interest of the child, that it's a family
first policy, that it's in the best interest of every
child to have both a male parent and a female parent.
Then in setting that definition of a natural marriage, then
(23:24):
the government benefits that flow to every married couple will
only flow to that of a natural marriage made up
of a male and female. So obviously that impacts the
forefront every LGBTQ couple that is made up of two men,
two women, and then gender diverse folks. But it also mentions,
(23:48):
you know, explicitly that they do not recommend polyamorous family units,
cohabitant family units, and or single good parentage. The national
marrying age right now is thirty one for men and
twenty nine for women. So for every straight couple out there,
how old were you and you got married, not that
(24:09):
you have to say that, but.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Later late in life, late in life.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
So if this had, you know, predated that marriage, you
too would have been you and Gil would have been impacted,
despite the fact that you and he were together forever
prior to getting married, right, So ultimately everyone who does not.
And they also define a success sequence. So the success
(24:36):
sequence is you finish school, which does not include college,
but finished school, get married, have children in that order.
That is the success sequence. They've identified aspects of society
that are eating away at the social fabric of society,
(24:57):
meaning college right because folks, women in particular, are going
to college and then maybe getting a master's end or
a PhD. That if folks weren't bettering themselves through college,
maybe the marrying age wouldn't be thirty one and twenty nine,
maybe it would be twenty years old like it used
to be before. So again it starts with family. But
(25:20):
then what they are trying to incentivize by incentivizing through
government benefits i e. Spending then touches on government spending
towards education, slashing federal funding towards student loans. And then
they've also created additional benefits like the fam Credit family
(25:43):
and marriage credit, So if you're both married and have
a family, then you get a credit for every child
seven thousand, six hundred and seventeen thousand, six hundred and
eighty bucks for every child. You could have nine children
if they come from a male and a female, you
have nine children nine times that eighteen thousand. If you're
(26:05):
a same sex couple and you have a child, you
get zero. Has to come from a natural marriage, then
it's zero. So I could through IVF have three children
no credit, and then through adoption, if you and Gil
were to adopt, you get one of the credits. But
if you were to adopt three children, no adoption, families
(26:26):
are limited to one family credit. LGBTQ folks zero, and
then straight people having children from a natural marriage, however,
many eighteen thousand times, however, many again, and this is
a blueprint from Hungry. Hungry did this as well as
(26:47):
you know a policy like this Basically, you know, let's
do away with college funding. Let's add massive financial incentivizations
for folks to have children, well married first and then
children in that order. That's a success sequence. I mean,
it's Handmaid's tale. Yeah, it's truly truly Handmaid's tale.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Well, I think what you're saying is that you're revealing
information that not only it impacts the LGBTQIA plus community,
but certainly a very broad range of individuals that would
be highly impacted by this. And as we saw with
Project twenty twenty five. That was a blueprint that President
(27:28):
Trump and the Republicans have basically followed. Tell us what
the status of this Heritage Foundation, this new plan, what's
next for that?
Speaker 4 (27:41):
The definition setting has started, the FAM credit and another
type of government benefit called the NEST accounts have not started.
But if you've heard of the Trump accounts, he likes
to name everything. So the Trump accounts are basically the
beginning of what will turn into the NEST account per
(28:02):
the Heritage Foundation. So you know, Trump had already put
certain things in motion, and then the Heritage Foundation and
the Trump administration obviously work very closely. So the NEST
account and the Trump accounts are basically the same thing
that will turn into the NEST accounts. And so you know,
first and foremost it's the definition setting and getting government
(28:24):
agencies to all adopt these basic definitions of natural marriage,
the success sequence in education. This is the foundation. It's
a two hundred and fifty year plan.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Wow, yeah right.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
They were on a fifty year plan to overturn Ruvwade.
They did so in forty nine years, five months, and
two days. They are relentless, they are strategic, they are brilliant,
They are super super smart folks. The Heritage Foundation long
pre dates Trump and this administration. They're agnostic to whoever
is in power, and they will work with whatever they
(28:58):
have in order to advance their agenda. And they definitely
have a lot of leeway right now. Next we'll see
the policies actually roll out. They're already dismantling the Department
of Education. That happened, right, So what goes next? Fassas disappear.
If FASA disappears, and the ability to finance through student
(29:22):
loans education, then you don't go to school.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
Well, this is highly alarming, and I am so grateful
that you're bringing it to our attention because I don't
think the vast majority of folks out there even are
aware of it. If people want to know more about
the work that you do, how do we find you
and get to know more about you?
Speaker 4 (29:43):
Go to my website at Jampolo law dot com or
follow me on Instagram at your Gay Lawyer, TikTok at
Gay Lawyer, my blog at Philly Gay Lawyer. And I
always say we represented the LGBTQ community and those who
love us.
Speaker 1 (29:58):
We love you Angela g and Polo. Angela Gianpola comes
to us once a month every month with speak Out,
where we talk about issues impacting the LGBTQI plus community,
but also the intersectionality about how this all affects everyone.
Thank you so much for joining us today.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
Absolutely thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
You can listen to all of today's interviews on the
iHeartRadio app and all podcast platforms by typing in keywords
Philadelphia Community Podcast. Follow me on Instagram and threads at
Lorraine Ballard and Lorraine Moral on TikTok and that's Lorain
with one R. I'm Lorraine Ballad tomorrow and I stand
for service to our community and media that empowers. What
will you stand for? You've been listening to what's going on,
(30:39):
and thank you
Good morning, and welcome to What's going on, a show
about making a difference in our lives and our communities.
I'm Lorraine Ballot Morrow we'll bring you our monthly features
Speak Out with Angela Giampolo, where we take a look
at issues impacting the LGBTQIA community and how these issues
affect us all But first, today, we're joined by Sharon Snyder,
(00:20):
executive director of Kisses for Kyle and Kyle's mom Jessica
Baskin is community outreached specialist and someone who's also benefited
from this organization. As the organization marks its twenty fifth
year of service, Sharon and Jessica reflect on a powerful
journey born from love and loss. What began as a
(00:42):
mother's promise has grown into a trusted lifeline for families
facing childhood cancer, providing compassionate support, meaningful programs, and a
sense of community during some of life's most difficult moments.
So let's start with you, Sharon, take us back to
the beginning. How did Kisses for Kyle's start and what
was the mission you set out to fulfill in Kyle's
(01:04):
name twenty five years ago?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
So after my son Kyle lost his life to leukemia.
In nineteen ninety eight, we started a memorial fund in
his memory, and the funds that we raised and the
support would go to local families whose children were facing
a cancer diagnosis like ours. It really honestly got me
out of bed in the morning, and you know, we
(01:28):
raised funds to help chop that's where Kyle was traded
for chop oncology, the Roald McDonald House, and also the
Leukemia Society, where I was on their committee for the
very first Late the Night walk And it was fulfilling,
but I felt like I needed to do something in
his name every day and hear his name in a
(01:50):
loving way and created kisses for Kyle without any experience,
really just a drive to continue to take care of
him moving forward, so he wasn't just a memory of
the past that we would look back on.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
You wanted to create a legacy.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yes, yeah, you know. I his mom, and when we
lost him, I continued to have that title, but I
wasn't able to mother him. So that was my first
purpose to continue to mother him with baby steps moving forward.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
As you enter this twenty five year milestone, what does
this anniversary mean to you personally and what does it
represent for the families you continue to serve.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So last year, you know, every year, I'll say we're
entering whichever year it is, And it took me a
couple of months to recognize, oh my gosh, we're in
our twenty fourth year, we're heading into our twenty fifth year,
and we're not just standing, we're still growing. And for
me on a personal level, it's been a very healing
(03:01):
journey with grief. You learn to carry it and incorporate
it into your life. And you know, I carry the
heaviness with me, but I also carry a lot of joy.
I don't know that my life would be as fulfilling
and with purpose if I didn't do this. So when
(03:22):
I set out to, as mentioned, take care of Kyle
in a different way, by default, I recognized that it
was healing for me and I just didn't want to
give it up. I really couldn't give it up because
I couldn't imagine being in that dark place. It's been
(03:45):
a light. I feel his spirit. I feel like it
guides us throughout our journey, you know, as one big
group of a family, for our families, I've seen a
lot of healing, you know, I've seen a lot of desperation,
and you know, our worlds are flipped upside down without
(04:09):
our say yeah and to be able to be some
sort of resemblance of sanity and healing and care. I've
seen a lot of positivity in our families in different
ways throughout the whole twenty five year journey.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah yeah, yeah, So Jessica, I'm going to have you
step up to the microphone. You are a community outreach
specialist and also really kind of an ambassador because you
have benefited from Kisses for Kyle, and I wonder if
you can tell us more about what Kisses for Kyle
does for families and how has this organization directly benefited
(04:54):
your family.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
My daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in twenty twenty one.
It was the day after her sixth birthday. She's okay now.
Luckily she was also treated at chop In the beginning
of her treatment, I met with two other moms in
my town who have unfortunately also gone through cancer diagnosis
with their children, and one of the first things they
(05:18):
recommended to me was looking into Kisses for Kyle. So
once I did that, it just opened up this whole
other world for us where we weren't feeling so secluded,
and it not only is benefiting your child, but the
entire family. So, for instance, Sharon would have these events
(05:42):
that we could go to. I'll use our Ocean City
Day as an example where we weren't just bringing my
sick daughter but her sister to who is something that
people may not realize is the siblings are often, for
good reason, left out of the hospital rooms and the
clinic appointments and the constant treatment that you're going to
(06:03):
with your child. And even those aren't those aren't exciting
fun things, they often feel left out. And so this
gave us so many bright spots throughout our daughter's journey
where everything is feeling kind of low and difficult and
you have something to look forward to. So, for instance,
(06:26):
we have this Socian City Day that I mentioned where
on the boardwalk the kids get to do the rides
and they get to eat all kinds of food. There's
lots of different things like paddle boarding, family photos, bofish makeovers,
just arts and crafts. So it's one of our favorite
days of the year that we do with Kisses for Kyle,
and so many families take advantage of it and it's
(06:48):
just so joyful. To see everybody there. Their kids are
so carefree and so as a parent, sorry, it's just
wonderful to be able to go, oh, not worry about
anything else. Yeah, and to see your kid being a kid.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Sorry, I knew I would, no, just I totally understand.
I think you know. I think it's true that unless
you are in your shoes, we don't know what that's like, right,
We don't know. There's no way we can be apathetic.
We can say we can be sympathetic, but to be
(07:27):
in a room or be in a space where other
parents and other kids and other siblings and other extended
family members are experiencing it, then you have a family,
you know, like a village that really understands you and
supports you in ways that perhaps someone like me who
(07:48):
has never experienced that particular situation would not be able
to truly do as fully as you're able to experience
through this organization.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Right, Yeah, it definitely helps you have more of a
sense of community. And I just think your support structure
through anything difficult like this is so important. And kisses
for Kyle definitely helps kind of just land you into
this group of people who, even if you're not necessarily
best friends with who you meet there, you know that
you're in it together and they all have some level
(08:21):
of understanding. And then I should mention that on top
of Sharon has kisses Kyle as tons of different partnerships,
and on top of that, she also helps with things
that I didn't even realize at the time, which she
can go into more, but financial aid and lodging pantry
items at families who are traveling and not expecting, you know,
(08:44):
to be at a hospital for so long, you're not
coming bringing everything with you. Yeah, So it just goes
so deep, and.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
I think what's so special is that Sharon and the
organization understands what is needed and in ways that perhaps
your regular person wouldn't even think of. As you mentioned,
who knew that someone would be traveling, didn't expect to
be there for a month or two and they need
things and who would think of that? But apparently Cases
(09:15):
for Kyle is doing that. Sharon, I'm going to have
you go back to the microphone, and I wonder if
you can talk about Kyle's Corner, which is something new,
a new space designed for families to gather, rest and connect.
Share more about your vision and why it's so important
right now.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I'm so excited for this to launch. One of our
longtime partners now has a nonprofit and they're delivered difference.
They have the space where we're going to be able
to bring our families multiple layers of support. I've been
wanting and hoping to have Kyle's Corner for many years,
(09:58):
and now it's happening in our t fifth your anniversary,
which makes it extra special. We're going to be launching
support groups and we're breaking them down so they'll be
for our children Warriors, super SIPs on and off treatment
(10:18):
and supercips for bereavement, and then we're also going to
offer and that's going to be for different age levels
so they're with their peers. We're also going to offer
for parents bereavement support and also other types of support
where it's just mentioned. They're going to be with those
(10:41):
who have an understanding and led by licensed therapists who
has the expertise to be able to provide the support
in a loving kind way to help with the healing process.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
I think what people often forget is that kids pross
this grief very differently than adults do, and so to
have something that's really informed from the perspective of understanding
what kids and teenagers go through sounds just critical.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It is critical, and as you both mentioned, until you
go through any kind of trauma, none of us can
fully understand it. And I tell our families often that
we have the day before in the day after, none
of us knew and you can talk our family members.
I remember feeling exhausted with close friends and family that
(11:39):
know me very well, but they didn't know that part
of me, and there's no way they could. If I
was on the other end of it, there was no
way I would have been able to understand it. Compassion, empathy, sympathy,
as you mentioned, it's all there, you know, for those
that were close with But to have the community to
(12:03):
embrace and to fall into, to land into knowing you
don't even have to say anything. You're surrounded by others
who get it, that feel safe, you know. I'm very
grateful to our community who believes in us, who allows
us to partner with them to be able to grow
like this. And now with Kyle's Corner, we'll have the
(12:27):
therapy offered to our families that we've never been able
to do before. We're launching it with a fun music
Bingo night. We're going to be giving out lots of gifts,
We're going to be doing movie evenings, art clubs. We're
partnering with Ali's Orchestra so they can have music therapy
(12:49):
in a fun way. Then we have a lot of
other ideas that we're going to implement over the year.
So it's kind of like a culmination of what we
offer in different remote locations, bringing it all together one.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Space, centralizing all the different pieces of pisses for Kyle.
Are you planning any big events around your organization's twenty
fifth anniversary.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yes, we are looking to do a big walk with
one of our partners, the Philadelphia Union. Super excited and nice,
thank you. And you know, we do a lot of
virtual events, just most I have to say, we do
a lot of event raisers as opposed to fundraisers. We're
very fortunate again, you know, with our community with giving
(13:36):
and supporting us and believing in us. So we have
the opportunity to focus more on our big family days,
you know, as Jess mentioned, with Ocean City, that's our
biggest day of the year. We have about seven hundred
plus family members joining us. It's a whole day where
(13:57):
they don't have to worry about a thing. Everything's covered
one hundred percent for them. Then we work with the
Phillies and know as mentioned with the Union, we work
with Macy's where they get to have fun shopping sprees.
So I know there's going to be a lot of
celebrations all year long. YEA, hoping to do it a
(14:17):
little more golden than normal.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Yeah, yeah, I'm going to get back to you in
just a second, but I'd like Jessica to come back
and tell us all the different ways that we can
get in touch with Kisses for Kyle and find out
more about all these many events, or also ways in
which we can support the organization.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
We are on social media if you want to follow
along and see firsthand our families enjoying some of our events.
Like Sharon mentioned, we also have a contact and donation
button directly on our website because just for Kyle dot Org,
that's one of the best ways to reach out to us.
We're also a small team, so when you're getting a response,
(15:01):
it's likely one of us or just a couple other people, so.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
You need volunteers.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
We do have volunteers. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, sorry, I
just meant like the day to day email response. Oh
my gosh, a ton of volunteers. Especially our past holiday
gift giving season was just amazing, and we are so
thankful to all the individuals and the companies that work
(15:29):
with us to make it all possible.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Yeah, you helped I think nine hundred kids something like that. Yeah,
go to a thousand while that's amazing. And over the
course of the organization you are supporting seven hundred families
every year, which is phenomenal. Sharon, I'm going to give
you the last word here. And they often say that
(15:53):
when you lose someone, they always remain alive as long
as to have their memory and speak their name. So
I wonder if you could tell us share with us
what was Kyle Like.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
This is where I'm gonna get all emissional right, Oh
such a joy. I remember when I was pregnant, I
literally was jumping on my bed because I feel like
to this day I was born to be a mom.
(16:29):
And from the moment I held him, he had such
a gentle way about him, his spirit. You know, you
hear the term old soul. That's I think of him
that way. So funny. He had such a great sense
of humor, and just in his loving ways. You know,
(16:53):
we were so connected and he loved spending time with
his family. He dove into spending time with his friends,
always smiling even during his treatment. You know, it was
very difficult, and he was also strong. He would protest
(17:16):
no more medicine. He would say that over and over again,
but he did it as a champ, did what he
had to do. He trusted in us and trusted in
his team, and when he was well enough, he didn't
skip a beat. He just was in the moment and
(17:36):
is to this day.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Sorry, yeah, it's okay.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
An inspiration.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Well, you know here it is cases for Kyle. Kyle
continues to impact so many people, not only obviously you
and your family, but the many families that are supported
and touched by this organization. And in doing so, you
do keep his presence alive as long as the organization continues,
(18:10):
as long as we can speak his name. Yes, he
will live, he will live on. And you know, in
my own experience, you've made him come alive for me
and kisses for Kyle is doing wonderful work for the
many families who are going through what you've experienced and
coming from a very deeply understanding what families go through,
(18:35):
whether it's the parents, whether it's the siblings, whether it's
that extended village. Kisses for Kyle is there for those
who are living with children facing childhood cancer, providing compassionate support,
meaningful programs, and a sense of community during some of
life's most difficult moments. Thank you so much, Sharon Snyder,
(18:57):
executive director of Kisses for Kyle, Kyle's mom, and also
Jessica Baskin, community outreach specialist and someone who has directly
benefited from the program Kisses for Kyle, So once again,
thank you so much for sharing your words about this
organization which is touching so many people.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
So thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
We're joined once again by Angela Giampolo, founder of Gmpolo
Law Group, for our monthly speak Out segment where we
explore issues affecting the LGBTQIA plus community and also how
they intersect with the broader population. So Angela, it's always
a pleasure to have you with us. And there is
(19:41):
a big report out of the Heritage Foundation that has
potential implications for not only LGBTQ plus folks, but folks
in general.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Tell us more truly, it really impacts again everyone. It's
one hundred and sixty p manifesto. It took me several
weeks to get through, but the findings are bleak really
for so many different people. It's called saving America by
Saving the Family, but really it's not an essay, if
(20:16):
you will, on family values, but instead a blueprint a
for the next two hundred and fifty years. So they
released it now because we're celebrating America's two hundred and
fiftieth year anniversary this year. So this is their blueprint
for governance for the next two hundred and fifty years.
(20:37):
This is the same group that authored Project twenty twenty five,
and Project twenty twenty five has been accomplished. Everything on
there is either in motion or has literally been checked off.
And so this is their next step, and it's a
blueprint for governance in utilizing law funding to create a
(20:58):
new narrative that that ultimately the government rewards certain folks
that they want to recognize. And they do so in
three very distinct ways. A through setting definitions, definition setting
brand new definitions around again who the government wants to recognize. Secondly,
(21:22):
around spending, and we've seen that this whole year that
if the administration wants to get something done, they pull
the purse strings attached and say, if you don't do xyz,
then you don't get said funding. And then the third
is through what they call litigation posturing. So they are
setting the foundation now and setting the government benefits and
(21:47):
rewards now in such a way that when there are
lawsuits later, they've already set up their posturing to have
put forth what the government interest is in. You know,
these roles that they're trying to create. So definition, setting, spending,
and getting ahead of future litigation now is sort of
(22:11):
the first step of this manifesto.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
I wonder if you can explain more to the layperson.
First of all, I admire you for slogging through one
hundred and fifty page report so that we didn't have to.
But when it talks when you talk about definition, what
does that actually mean and how does it impact the
LGBTQI plus community but also the rest of us.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
The number one definition is in what they deem to
be a natural marriage, and that they would only recognize
a marriage made up of a male and a female,
and that parents are not interchangeable, so that parents can
only be made up of a male and a female,
so you can't have two male parents, you can't have
(23:00):
two female parents. And structuring all of that around again
the best interest of the child, that it's a family
first policy, that it's in the best interest of every
child to have both a male parent and a female parent.
Then in setting that definition of a natural marriage, then
(23:24):
the government benefits that flow to every married couple will
only flow to that of a natural marriage made up
of a male and female. So obviously that impacts the
forefront every LGBTQ couple that is made up of two men,
two women, and then gender diverse folks. But it also mentions,
(23:48):
you know, explicitly that they do not recommend polyamorous family units,
cohabitant family units, and or single good parentage. The national
marrying age right now is thirty one for men and
twenty nine for women. So for every straight couple out there,
how old were you and you got married, not that
(24:09):
you have to say that, but.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Later late in life, late in life.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
So if this had, you know, predated that marriage, you
too would have been you and Gil would have been impacted,
despite the fact that you and he were together forever
prior to getting married, right, So ultimately everyone who does not.
And they also define a success sequence. So the success
(24:36):
sequence is you finish school, which does not include college,
but finished school, get married, have children in that order.
That is the success sequence. They've identified aspects of society
that are eating away at the social fabric of society,
(24:57):
meaning college right because folks, women in particular, are going
to college and then maybe getting a master's end or
a PhD. That if folks weren't bettering themselves through college,
maybe the marrying age wouldn't be thirty one and twenty nine,
maybe it would be twenty years old like it used
to be before. So again it starts with family. But
(25:20):
then what they are trying to incentivize by incentivizing through
government benefits i e. Spending then touches on government spending
towards education, slashing federal funding towards student loans. And then
they've also created additional benefits like the fam Credit family
(25:43):
and marriage credit, So if you're both married and have
a family, then you get a credit for every child
seven thousand, six hundred and seventeen thousand, six hundred and
eighty bucks for every child. You could have nine children
if they come from a male and a female, you
have nine children nine times that eighteen thousand. If you're
(26:05):
a same sex couple and you have a child, you
get zero. Has to come from a natural marriage, then
it's zero. So I could through IVF have three children
no credit, and then through adoption, if you and Gil
were to adopt, you get one of the credits. But
if you were to adopt three children, no adoption, families
(26:26):
are limited to one family credit. LGBTQ folks zero, and
then straight people having children from a natural marriage, however,
many eighteen thousand times, however, many again, and this is
a blueprint from Hungry. Hungry did this as well as
(26:47):
you know a policy like this Basically, you know, let's
do away with college funding. Let's add massive financial incentivizations
for folks to have children, well married first and then
children in that order. That's a success sequence. I mean,
it's Handmaid's tale. Yeah, it's truly truly Handmaid's tale.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Well, I think what you're saying is that you're revealing
information that not only it impacts the LGBTQIA plus community,
but certainly a very broad range of individuals that would
be highly impacted by this. And as we saw with
Project twenty twenty five. That was a blueprint that President
(27:28):
Trump and the Republicans have basically followed. Tell us what
the status of this Heritage Foundation, this new plan, what's
next for that?
Speaker 4 (27:41):
The definition setting has started, the FAM credit and another
type of government benefit called the NEST accounts have not started.
But if you've heard of the Trump accounts, he likes
to name everything. So the Trump accounts are basically the
beginning of what will turn into the NEST account per
(28:02):
the Heritage Foundation. So you know, Trump had already put
certain things in motion, and then the Heritage Foundation and
the Trump administration obviously work very closely. So the NEST
account and the Trump accounts are basically the same thing
that will turn into the NEST accounts. And so you know,
first and foremost it's the definition setting and getting government
(28:24):
agencies to all adopt these basic definitions of natural marriage,
the success sequence in education. This is the foundation. It's
a two hundred and fifty year plan.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Wow, yeah right.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
They were on a fifty year plan to overturn Ruvwade.
They did so in forty nine years, five months, and
two days. They are relentless, they are strategic, they are brilliant,
They are super super smart folks. The Heritage Foundation long
pre dates Trump and this administration. They're agnostic to whoever
is in power, and they will work with whatever they
(28:58):
have in order to advance their agenda. And they definitely
have a lot of leeway right now. Next we'll see
the policies actually roll out. They're already dismantling the Department
of Education. That happened, right, So what goes next? Fassas disappear.
If FASA disappears, and the ability to finance through student
(29:22):
loans education, then you don't go to school.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
Well, this is highly alarming, and I am so grateful
that you're bringing it to our attention because I don't
think the vast majority of folks out there even are
aware of it. If people want to know more about
the work that you do, how do we find you
and get to know more about you?
Speaker 4 (29:43):
Go to my website at Jampolo law dot com or
follow me on Instagram at your Gay Lawyer, TikTok at
Gay Lawyer, my blog at Philly Gay Lawyer. And I
always say we represented the LGBTQ community and those who
love us.
Speaker 1 (29:58):
We love you Angela g and Polo. Angela Gianpola comes
to us once a month every month with speak Out,
where we talk about issues impacting the LGBTQI plus community,
but also the intersectionality about how this all affects everyone.
Thank you so much for joining us today.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
Absolutely thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
You can listen to all of today's interviews on the
iHeartRadio app and all podcast platforms by typing in keywords
Philadelphia Community Podcast. Follow me on Instagram and threads at
Lorraine Ballard and Lorraine Moral on TikTok and that's Lorain
with one R. I'm Lorraine Ballad tomorrow and I stand
for service to our community and media that empowers. What
will you stand for? You've been listening to what's going on,
(30:39):
and thank you
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