When Kyle Lublin approached her 75th birthday last March, she didn’t want gifts or attention centered on herself. Instead, she saw an opportunity—one that reflects a lifetime of compassion and faith—to make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients.
Rather than presents, Kyle invited her family and friends to celebrate her milestone birthday by supporting Phil’s Friends. Her goal was simple but powerful: turn a personal celebration into a source of comfort for those walking through one of life’s most difficult journeys.
“The inspiration came when I created an email invitation for the party,” Kyle said. “I included ‘Please no gifts,’ then wrote, ‘Maybe have some fun with 75 and make a donation to Phil’s Friends, like $7.50 or $7x$5, or $7, $5, or $75.’ And a fundraiser was born.”
Kyle’s initiative quickly became something much greater than a birthday gesture. Through her efforts, she raised both awareness and financial support, helping fund Care Packages filled with practical items and spiritual encouragement—including Bibles—that are delivered to cancer patients across the country. Each Care Package represents a reminder that no one is alone in their fight.
One of Kyle’s friends created a fundraiser board to track the donations given that night. A vase was used to collect the cash and check donations. “All guests were 100% supportive of the cause,” Kyle said. “One couple said they were impressed so much with the Phil’s Friends mission and my advocating efforts that they gave a $750 donation. It made me feel respected for my ministry advocacy, proud of those in my life for their support and very happy to raise funds for PF.”
Others got into the spirit of the theme as well, and cleverly wrote checks for $35 (7×5), $75, and $100. Kyle’s Facebook fundraiser raised $50, and two donations were made online directly to PF, for $150 and $75.
“It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we rally together for a cause,” Kyle said.
Kyle also had a table displayed with Phil’s Friends brochures, cancer cards, Phil’s book Seeing the Good in It, and sample Care Packages.
Overall, party-goers raised $2,215—all for Phil’s Friends.
“It was important to use this milestone birthday because I have been very blessed and enjoy supporting a ministry with such a great mission. And then all the focus of a party was not about just me,” Kyle said.
Kyle first became aware of Phil’s Friends in 2023, “when a teacher at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and School in Oviedo, FL asked the LWML ladies if we would like to learn to make hats for Phil’s Friends using a craft loom.” They said yes! A small group of ladies started and since that time meets weekly to loom between12 and 20 hats.
While Kyle does not have a personal connection with anyone battling cancer, she strongly supports the mission. “I do have a heart to support this ministry,” she said. “I believe programs like Care Packages and Cards of Hope are important for those battling cancer because having support and encouragement help build hope. Phil’s Friends tag line says it all—Cancer is strong. Hope is stronger.”
Since 2023, Kyle has immersed herself in the mission. “The PF brochure provided so many other suggestions for supporting the mission. I am a crafter at heart, so I was drawn to creating decorated journals and cards, tying fleece blankets, coordinating ladies to make port pillows, encouraging others to color Cards of Hope and hosting Pack Parties,” she said. “One highlight for me was meeting Phil and helping represent PF at a Central Florida [LWML convention]. Another was attending the training at the Hope Center in Crown Point, IN in November 2025. I feel very empowered to advocate for PF.”
As if that weren’t enough, Kyle continues to host weekly hat-making sessions and journal decorating parties at her home and church. She’s also represented Phil’s Friends at her church’s Ministry Fair, coordinated a Cards of Hope coloring booth during St. Luke’s school’s Grandparents Day, and decorated Care Packages with the church’s Senior High youth group, as well as traveled to other local churches to teach hat looming. She also can be found with a stack of cancer cards in her purse—always at the ready to give out to anyone she encounters
Said Kyle, “To those who might consider supporting PF with their birthday or another special occasion I would say, ‘Go for it.’ People are willing to donated when asked. Even a small event can be informative and raise funds for Phil’s Friends.”
But Kyle didn’t stop there. She is using her entire 75th year to continue raising support for Phil’s Friends. “During the November PF training, I was inspired to set a goal for myself, to promote PF each month,” she said. She spent time compiling a list of ideas to carry out in 2026, beginning in January.
Every Tuesday she continues to loom hats with her small group but also ties fleece blankets and makes journals. Other events throughout the year include hosting Pack Parties, Care Package box decorating parties, and coloring Cards of Hope parties.
“Being a Ministry Advocate for PF is having a heart for the mission,” Kyle said. And she has the heart!
Supporting Phil’s Friends, she said, can be as easy as sharing the cancer card with someone, coloring a few Cards of Hope from their website (philsfriends.org), coloring them, and mailing them to the Home Office, making a monthly financial commitment, looming or knit hats, making blankets, sewing port pillows, advocating for Phil’s Friends at your church or school, or hosting a Pack Party or fundraiser (such as Bunco at your church). Creative ways to support Phil’s Friends are limitless, she said.
Kyle’s story is a testament to the impact one person can make. By choosing generosity over gifts, Kyle not only honored her own life’s milestone but also extended hope to countless individuals facing cancer.
At 75, Kyle’s legacy is not defined by years—but by the lives she continues to touch.
Said Kyle, “In my retirement advocating for several nonprofit Christ-centered ministries has been extremely rewarding. This 75th milestone birthday provided the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family to celebrate more than myself. We all gave hope to those affected by cancer. The work of Phil’s Friends offers hope to those who need it and fills my heart to know I helped even in a small way.”
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