TAMPA, Fla. — It makes sense that a place people come to seeking help, seeking treatment and seeking miracles is a special place for the Pacholke family.

But that’s what Moffitt Cancer Center is. It’s where Aaron has worked as a cytologist for almost 22 years. And it’s where former Freedom girls basketball coach Laurie Pacholke has received her treatment for Non-Hogdkin’s Lymphoma.

In so many ways, Moffitt has wrapped its arms around the Pacholkes.

“I’m proud, proud to contribute my part to making people’s lives better,” Aaron said.

There’s something to be said for being surrounded by love and support like you get at Moffitt. And the Pacholke’s need that now more than ever. In August, they joined a club no parent ever wants to join when their daughter Neena took her own life.

“It helps me feel better knowing that she was loved,” Aaron said. “It just hurts. I cry every day.”

“I don’t know that there is a greater pain than a mother losing her daughter,” Laurie said. “And not having that closure and knowing at some point you were on the phone when that decision was already made. It’s hard.”

The former USF basketball player turned news anchor was a ray of sunshine every morning on Wisconsin’s WAOW. She helped people wake up. She set the tone for their day.

“To know that she had that kind of an impact on a community and that’s what she wanted,” Laurie said. ”That’s why she went into the business, to make a change and to be different.”

But behind her beaming smile, Neena hid a secret. She hid a deep depression that ultimately caused her to take her own life. According to the CDC, there were more than 47,000 deaths by suicide last year. Neena became a statistic and left her loved ones with a question they will never get the answer to - why?

“Not knowing could I have said something different,” Laurie said. “How did I not know? If we had not been in France, would it have been different. You know, all the what ifs.”

Before Neena made a name for herself on TV, she starred on the basketball court. And before she suited up for the USF Bulls, Neena and her older sister Kaitlynn played high school ball for their mom.

“The way she loved people. How she was so unselfish in her love,” Kaitlynn said. “I always used to say, I’m the older sister but I want to be like Neena.”

After Neena’s passing, the family heard from so many people in the basketball community. And the well wishes from her Wisconsin community were overwhelming. Neena left a mark there and continues to inspire. Toys for Tots was one of her favorite causes. And this year, several Wisconsin businesses have donated to Toys for Tots in Neena’s name.

Christmas was Neena’s favorite time of the year. And to honor her, the family started a new tradition this year.

(“We have a Neena tree. It’s helped us,” Aaron said. “We’ve had an artificial tree with our family for years and years and years. Neena always wanted to have a live tree. So now we have, in addition to our traditional family tree, we have a live tree.”

Neena’s tree, shining brightly in the family’s sunroom. Shining brightly just like she did.

“Neena was put on this earth to make it a better place,” Laurie said. 

Neena might not physically still be on this earth, but she’s still making it better. By sharing her story, the Pacholkes are hoping to save other lives. So that no parent has to go through what they have. So that those suffering know there is help and they’re not alone. That will be Neena’s legacy.

“Our family is hurting now,” Aaron Pacholke. “But thanks to a lot of great support, love, we’re finding our way.”