Meet THE Team!

Meet the dedicated people behind the scenes of Team MM. They are the heart and soul of our foundation and we are thankful for their dedication and support to help children and families affected by pediatric cancers.

Donna DeSousa-Schmidt
Forever mom to Maggie Schmidt

I’m Donna. President, co-founder, and forever mom to Maggie Schmidt. Maggie’s loss has left a huge hole in our hearts and in our family which will never be filled. Before Maggie got sick, I worked as a designer, in many industries and capacities. I’ve won industry awards for my work. I’m dedicated and passionate about everything I do in life, including volunteering for numerous non-profits throughout my career - donating my professional services whenever I can to help do good in this world.

I never expected to be where I am now, running a foundation that honors our only daughter’s dying wish to help other children, but here I am. It’s tragic and unfair. I miss Maggie beyond measure. I wanted to meet and watch the woman she would become. Maggie was named after a character from a show called Northern Exposure. She was a female Alaskan bush pilot who was fierce, headstrong, and independent. That was our daughter Maggie. The name was certainly most fitting. Who knew? We used to joke that she’d make an amazing CEO someday, never realizing cancer would take her from us at such a young age. Maggie’s Mission has been front and center in my life since September of 2017, founded just a few short months after losing Maggie.

A true labor of love. I’ve dedicated myself to helping families affected by pediatric cancers, and aim to find cures and better treatment options for children diagnosed.

To reach Donna, please email me.

Steven Thomas Schmidt
Vice President, and S’mores for More Ambassador

Maggie was not only my sister, she was my best friend and confidante. I miss talking with her, I feel like Maggie was the only one who got me. We were close in age, and close in the bond we shared as two siblings. When Maggie got sick, my entire family stopped what we were doing at the time to be with her and help her in anyway we could. I took a break from College, my mom stopped working for her family’s business, and my dad took a leave of absence from teaching and used his accrued sick time. Maggie would take turns choosing one of us to be with her on any given day during treatment. I would have done anything for her.

I know not all are so lucky. There are bills to pay, and so much that needs attention in life. Even though there is nothing that feels lucky about what happened and what Maggie went through, I feel fortunate to have been there for her when she needed me most.

As Vice President of Maggie’s Mission, I take on many roles for the multitude of tasks it takes to run a foundation. I am a creative sounding board and have helped develop and implement many ideas and events.

Sometimes it’s hard to be constantly reminded of the cruelty of this disease. As a member of this team, I’ve been personally called upon to help children and teens directly. We get attached to these kids going through the worst trauma anyone can go through - a terminal illness. We’ve seen too many of these children die. As a young person, it’s difficult to witness such cruelty in life. It’s shows me that life is far from fair.

I know my sister would be proud to see all the good we’ve all done to help other kids, young adults, and their families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

To reach Steven, please email me.

Steve Schmidt
Secretary; Treasurer

I’m Steve Schmidt, Maggie’s Dad. I’ll never forget the day we were told that Maggie had an incurable cancer. How could that be? Still, Maggie endured chemotherapy because we just had to try. Treatment was ultimately ineffective. Maggie witnessed many other children suffering during her own treatment on the 9th floor of Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. When she knew she would not survive, she told us she didn’t want other kids to suffer from this disease. Her words were the inspiration for Maggie’s Mission.

Only 4% of the dollars the government spends annually on cancer research is directed towards childhood cancer. That doesn’t seem fair. Maggie’s Mission is closing this gap by funding critical research to improve outcomes for children with cancer. We also provide financial assistance to families in need because worrying about paying the bills is the last thing these famlies should have to think about. It also gives me great pleasure to be able to provide regular meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House NYC.

I gather strength knowing that I am helping to realize Maggie’s final wishes. I believe her spirit guides us. I am grateful for the time we had together. I’m also grateful for the love and support of family, friends, and the opportunity to do good each day.

To reach Steve, please email me.

Briana DiPardo
Special Events Officer

I’m Briana. Mom. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Interior designer. Cancer Previvor.

Unfortunately like most, I have been directly affected by cancer. My mother lost her courageous battle to ovarian cancer and my father in law to pancreatic cancer. Thankfully, because of modern medicine and testing, I myself was able to make an informed decision about my own health. Having a husband and 3 beautiful children, paired with a willingness to do whatever I can just so they never have to endure the pain I did watching my mom die, I opted to have a prophylactic double mastectomy. I never imagined at age 35 that would be my life. It was an insane rollercoaster of emotions, but I always came back to thinking one thing; “I’ll do whatever I have to do so I can live.”

Living in the same town, I had heard of Maggie’s story and the foundation but never met Donna. I truly believe fate brought us together as we were placed on the same woman’s softball team. (Go Team Maggie’s Mission!) Our bond was instantaneous and I began volunteering to help with whatever she needed. The more I helped, the more I wanted to be involved. It was such an honor when Donna asked me if I would like to co-chair the gala and be on the board for Maggie’s Mission. Obviously, it was a clear YES!

I’m so incredibly proud of the work that is being done in Maggie’s name and look forward to continuing to help children and the families fighting this disgusting disease.

To reach Briana, please email me.

Joan Motherway
Program Director

I’m Joan. My son went to high school with Maggie, and performed in the annual Music For Maggie fundraiser concerts held at Harborfields each year. It was heartbreaking to see this strong, beautiful young woman suffer and be robbed of the life she deserved.

As any parent would, I wondered how Donna and Steve would go on. I was astounded at how quickly they began working to fulfill Maggie’s wish, to find a cure so other children did not suffer like she did. It is no surprise that Maggie’s focus was on helping others. Donna, Steve and Steven embody that same compassion and generous spirit. It’s what makes Maggie’s Mission so special. It’s what drew me to them and this organization. They have shared the gift of Maggie with the world, shared their agony, shared the brutal truth of this disease. And through it all, they remain dedicated and optimistic that progress is possible. They continue to work tirelessly to spread awareness, fund research, and help families in need. I have followed their journey over the years and appreciated all they have shared about Maggie. They have done a beautiful job of giving the world a glimpse of the remarkable person she was, and the impact she had in such a short time.

When I finally met Donna, Steve and Steven, it felt like I knew them forever. I am honored to be part of this team, and look forward to a day when children no longer have to suffer.

To reach Joan, please email me.

Susan Cammarota
Volunteer Services Officer

I’m Sue. Mother, wife, step-mom, mother-in-law, and Nana. Harborfields grad, and life-long Greenlawn/Centerport resident.

When my son Jack turned 10 in 2018, we decided to do a “Lemonade Stand” on our front lawn to celebrate his birthday and raise money to assist the families of two of Jack’s schoolmates that had been recently diagnosed with cancer. In addition to the lemonade, we had food, lawn games, a DJ, AND we met Donna.

Donna learned of our event through a neighbor, and we learned about Maggie’s Mission. 

Largely through the generosity of Maggie’s Mission, along with a great turnout from the Harborfields community, we raised over five thousand dollars that day for those two very grateful families. 

We’ve done a similar event every year since, though COVID turned the Lemonade Stand theme into a contact-free Car Wash! Every dollar we raise goes directly to Maggie’s Mission, where we know Donna, Steve and Steven will tirelessly honor Maggie through helping countless children and families. 

I know that I had a 10th birthday party, but I honestly couldn’t tell you much about it. I do know for sure, that my son Jack will never forget his 10th birthday and the day we became dedicated to Maggie’s Mission. 

Dr. Maxwell M. Dumple
Honorary Ambassador

I’m Dr. Dumple, Honorary Ambassador to Team MM. I have my Doctorate in snacks, particularly of the carb variety. While I am sad to say I didn’t get to meet Maggie personally, I sure wish I had. I’ve heard many delightful tails about her.

I keep things light and silly around the Team MM headquarters. You might hear me barking in the background of calls sometimes, along with my associates - my Secretary Sojo and Assistant Bento. While neither are as cute as me, they are an integral part of my team.

Will work for snacks.

Christopher L. Squeri
Special Events Officer