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Honoring cancer battles one butterfly at a time
15th annual Wings of Hope event held in Milton
Skyler Bayko of Cancer Support Community of Delaware distributes live butterflies to participants. TED PFIRRMANN PHOTOS
June 28, 2025
Milton Memorial Park hosted the 15th annual Wings of Hope butterfly release June 21.
This deeply meaningful event honored those affected by cancer and their loved ones. The day, organized by Cancer Support Community Delaware, included vendors, kid-friendly activities, raffle auctions and the sale of native pollinator plants.
The culmination of the event was the distribution and release of live painted lady butterflies accompanied by a live rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Sara Freih of Rehoboth Beach.
Irish Eyes in Milton hosted a dine-and-donate event from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., donating 10% of customers’ bills back to the cause.
The stars of the show were these painted lady butterflies.
Participants posted their wishes on a cloth hung from the rafters of the pavilion.
Butterflies await distribution to participants.
Hope & Prayers, a simple, yet profound statement.
Mike Kinnard, board member, and Nichole Topkis Pickles, executive director, of the Cancer Support Community of Delaware read off the names of those affected by cancer.
Alexander Meyer and her daughter are assisted by Nichole Topkis Pickles, executive director for the CSC of Delaware, during the release of the butterflies.
Kathy O’Grady, a seven-year cancer survivor, works the silent auction table.
Deb and Glenn Silbert represent Soul Synergy.
Eve Marie Tyrrell sells jewelry at the event.
