LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A tattoo parlor in Lexington hosted cancer survivors and their family members Sunday to commemorate their journeys and to raise money in the fight against cancer.
According to Tattoo Charlie's Facebook page, the business' three locations have raised more than $68,000 over the last eight years for children undergoing cancer treatment.
Sunday's event marked the ninth annual "Tattoos Against Cancer" benefit.
"The most rewarding part for us is still just seeing people being able to commemorate a memory they have in regards to a special person," said Luke Sheffield, an employee at the parlor. "And they're able to permanently commemorate that."
One of those customers was Deborah Goodlett, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her late twenties. More than twenty years later, she is cancer-free, but the experience shaped her outlook on life.
Speaking to LEX 18 after her tattoo appointment, she showed off her new body art that featured a flower. She says that flower is a symbol that reflects a message she wants to send to other survivors.
"I want them to know they can bloom like flowers," Goodlett said.
