10/22/2026
Pope County Golden Circle and the Hardin County Golden Circle will be wearing pick tomorrow, Friday, October 23rd in support of Bella & her family. If you are coming to lunch tomorrow at either site, we welcome you to wear PINK as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bella & her family!!!
Months after graduating from Pope County High School and continuing her softball career in college, Bella Fasolo is facing a cancer diagnosis that has prompted communities across Southern Illinois to organize fundraisers, a prayer vigil and school events in her support.
Fasolo, a freshman softball player at Southeastern Illinois College, was recently diagnosed with sarcoma and is receiving care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Fasolo played basketball and softball at Pope County before joining SIC. She also played with the Marion Wildcats and Louisville Lady Sluggers travel softball programs. Fasolo, a native of Eddyville, is pre-med major.
Several opportunities for the community to support Bella and her family are planned in the coming days.
A candlelight prayer vigil will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Little Lusk Campground & Lodge, 50 Barger Road in Stonefort. Organizers are inviting the community to gather in support of Bella.
Pope County will hold a Pink Out game Tuesday, Oct. 27, when the junior high Pirates host the Crab Orchard Trojans at 6 p.m.
Vienna High School is also asking students, staff and community members to wear pink throughout the day Oct. 27 in support of the Pope County graduate and her family.
Pope County’s Class of 2026 has also announced a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for its former classmate, with proceeds helping her family. More information is available on the school’s page.
An online fundraiser organized by Paxton Kerans on behalf of Bridget Fasolo is helping cover travel, hospital stays and treatment expenses.
Donations can also be made through the GoFundMe campaign, “Donate for Bella’s Travel and Medical Care.”
