TSWGO was established in memory of 16-year-old Esther Earl. Esther's online communities and causes met many of the social and emotional needs in her life, hampered as she was by her progressing thyroid cancer. Yet Esther lived life fully, getting involved in social justice issues, loving her friends, her family and cats, and always remembering to be awesome.

On August 25, 2010, much too soon, cancer silenced Esther and stilled her slender fingers. In 16 years she packed a lot of living and loving into her life, and loved well those who surrounded her. Esther didn't let her light stop shining—This Star Won’t Go Out continues to remind us of her love for others, and to inspire us to do the same.

Esther’s parents, Lori & Wayne Earl, started This Star Won’t Go Out in honor of Esther. Their goal was (and is) to help other families going through the same things that they experienced while caring for a child with cancer.

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