Turning Pain into Purpose
For decades, Mike LaHote has been a staple of the local business community. As a longtime entrepreneur, he spent his career building ventures from the ground up, fueled by a tireless work ethic and a commitment to excellence. He knows what it means to solve problems, lead teams, and serve his neighbors in Monroe County.
The trajectory of Mike’s life changed forever with a diagnosis no one is ever prepared for: Stage IV Chronic Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL). Suddenly, the man who had spent his life building businesses was faced with a battle for his own life. He experienced firsthand the overwhelming “silent struggle”—the logistics of treatment, the financial strain of medical bills, and the emotional weight a diagnosis places on a family.
Against all odds, Mike chose to turn his personal adversity into a beacon of hope for others. Recognizing that he was uniquely positioned to understand the gaps in patient care, he founded Ribbons of Monroe to ensure no one in his community has to navigate a cancer journey alone.
Today, while continuing his own fight, Mike serves as a primary point of contact for thousands of people across the Monroe County area. His dual perspective as both a business leader and a Stage IV patient allows Ribbons of Monroe to operate with a rare combination of professional efficiency and deep, authentic empathy.