By Misty Cryer
The “Be the Light” float took second place in Carlsbad’s Electric Light Parade this year. Sticking with the theme of Candy Land, this float was intended to bring awareness to childhood cancer in honor of Bridgette Jayne Cunningham while spreading the word of God. In her short life of 15 months, Bridgette brought joy to her family and everyone who met her.
Bridgette was born on October 20, 2022. Her parents are John and Shaelynn Cunningham. She left this world on January 30, 2024. Her mother, Shaelynn, said Bridgette had a rare, rapid childhood cancer. “You would have never known looking at her that she was ever sick. She was always happy,” she said, adding Bridgette was the cutest, sweetest baby with a bubbly personality. “She was definitely a warrior.”
Shaelynn said her sister-in-law, Destiny Maxey, suggested doing a float to bring awareness to childhood cancer in honor of Bridgette. “September is childhood cancer awareness,” she said, noting that in small areas, not a lot of people know about it.
“Bridgette loved Christmas lights; she loved Christmas music; she loved Christmas Vacation, the movie,” said Shaelynn.
With family, Shaelynn said, they built the float, not expecting to win. To bring awareness, she said they tried to incorporate each color for a ribbon to address all of the prominent childhood cancers. “I would put an orange lollipop with an orange cancer ribbon for leukemia and a green lollipop with a green cancer ribbon for liver,” she said. Other cancers mentioned include brain and lung cancer. Bridgette’s photos were also placed on the float in her memory.
Shaelynn said next year, she is thinking about honoring other children dealing with cancer, noting that the nurses and staff at Covenant Children stay in touch with her. “There was also this little boy the same time as Bridgette was there; he was there often, so I thought about reaching out to his parents next year,” she said, referring to placing his picture and ribbon on the float in memory of him.
Bridgette was diagnosed with cancer the day after Father’s Day, Shaelynn said. “They flew us to El Paso. We were in El Paso Children’s Hospital for one month straight, and then they flew us from there to Houston,” she said. Shaelynn said Bridgette was also treated in Lubbock because it was closer to home, and family and friends could visit and spend time with her while she was being treated prior to coming of age (one year) to qualify for trials.
A bible verse was displayed on a sign on the float: Matthew 5:14. “Bridgette was just our little light; like she was just so bright and cheerful,” said Shaelynn. “When I was pregnant with her, one of my best friends, Caitlyn (Smith), would always sing ‘This Little Light of Mine’ to my belly,” she said, continuing that after Bridgette was born, she would be so happy when she heard that song.
Shaelynn said “Be the Light” came up many times during Bridgette’s life, including being the theme in a competition at the hospital around Christmas time. “They had little Christmas balls that they could put their fingerprints on, so when the lights were out, the light bulbs would still glow even without power. We wanted to put that into the float, too, to spread the word of God,” she said.
Shaelynn said she is honored to share Bridgette’s story. “It was such a life-changing circumstance. We have always donated to the children and always seen the St. Jude commercials, yet it doesn’t have the same devastating impact of emotions until it’s someone you love,” she said.
“When we got to Texas Children’s in Houston and there were 17 floors of sick children, it was gut-wrenching,” Shaelynn said. She said they shared the number of children and teens diagnosed with cancer each year, “It’s just so absolutely heart-shattering.”
Carlsbad’s Electric Light Parade this year had a Candy Land theme. “It was our largest to date,” said Shea Yturralde, Assistant Director of Carlsbad Mainstreet. Yturralde said there were 64 entries, with some entries having multiple vehicles. She shared the following results: First place went to The Alibi, second to the Be the Light float, and third to LA Services. Constructors and TDM Leasing were awarded Best in the Show, with an Honorable Mention to SNMCAC Head Start.
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