When Kelly Tucker learned about toddler Kylie Rowan’s courageous cancer fight in 2014, she organized a yard sale in her Jackson, Mississippi, neighborhood and sent the proceeds to Rowand’s family in California. Tucker continued to follow the brave little girl on social media and noticed in several posts that Rowand loved having her nails painted while she was in treatment. That sparked a unique way for Tucker to continue helping the Rowands and other families like them.
Tucker launched Kylie’s Kolors, a private label nail polish company that raises money for families whose children have battled, or are battling, cancer. Kylie’s Kolors works like this: Each child (or their family) picks out a nail polish color and names it for the child. Whenever a child’s polish is sold, the net proceeds from that color go directly to that family. To date, Kylie’s Kolors has sold more than 14,000 bottles of polish and raised more than $50,000 for 35 families.
“I started this because Kylie’s journey put life in perspective. Thankfully, I have healthy children. I felt it was my responsibility to give back,” Tucker said. “I did this to try to make life better for those families in need.”
Citing Tucker’s dedication to honoring and supporting families affected by childhood cancer, Regions presented Tucker the Better Life Award on Wednesday. The Better Life Award is the top honor given to a Regions associate for outstanding dedication and job performance, as well as exemplary involvement and commitment to the community.
In addition to the Better Life Award recognition, Regions donates $1,000 in the name of the recipient to a nonprofit organization of the winner’s choice. Tucker chose the Kylie Rowand Foundation, formed after Kylie lost her battle in 2015.
“I didn’t know Kylie personally, but her story was so moving that I felt led to do something,” Tucker said. “If there’s something tugging at your heart, don’t wait for someone else – you do it. I obeyed that calling and because of that, every resource has been there, without fail.”