Seven years of giving back!
Sunday, September 29th marks seven years of Maggie’s Mission giving back in honor of our daughter, Maggie, taken too soon by a cruel and devastating disease called Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors. This particularly aggressive cancer carries a very poor prognosis, and the loss of Maggie has profoundly impacted our lives. We miss her every second of every day. Her absence fuels our intense desire to make change.
Our mission is clear: to raise awareness about pediatric cancers, fund cutting-edge research aimed at finding cures for Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors, and other childhood cancers, and provide support to families with children currently affected. As Maggie herself once said… “Don’t Forget Me.” Now we gather - united and inspired by her grace, courage, and strength in the face of adversity.
Maggie, above, in Florida, one of the many times we visited during her short fight against cancer. Her time in Florida was an escape from the challenging reality of her illness and provided a backdrop for moments of joy amid the struggle. We found comfort in our family, though our smiles masked the worry that hovered.
Maggie found solace in these trips, where the weight of mortality was lifted, if only for a little while. With us by her side, she would watch as the sun rose above the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink — a reminder that beauty still existed, even in the face of despair.
Each trip reinforced a semblance of normalcy - small moments carved out from the chaos of treatments and uncertainty. On a good day, Maggie could forget about the pain that she often felt, focusing instead on the warmth of the sand beneath her feet, the sun on her face, and the joy of living in the moment. These precious memories became part of her legacy, and a testament to her ability to find light, even in darkness. We miss you Maggie.
Despite the immense challenge of fundraising amidst our profound grief and navigating a landscape that often feels saturated with organizations competing for limited resources, we see our innovative fundraising ideas paving the way towards a larger impact. We are not here for a fleeting moment; we are here for the long haul, guided by the memory of Maggie and the countless lives affected by pediatric cancer. (Edited to add: we’ve since closed our doors to fundraising. We tried so so hard. We really did. But the pressures of fundraising got to be too much. It’s intensely hard work, and unless you have connections to people with immense amounts of money, it’s hard to truly raise enough to make a difference. We were discouraged that the likes of a corrupt trump administration raised $260 million from a drug addled Elon Musk, when we were dedicating our entire lives and every waking moment to raise $2.5 million over the course of 7 years).
We hope you will continue to be a part of our efforts and The Good We Do.
Join us on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 as the NORTHPORT RUNNING CLUB and CONCIERGE PEDIATRICS present MAGGIE’S SUNSET S’MORE-K, a cross country 4K race benefiting Maggie’s Mission in our quest to find cures for pediatric cancers. Held at Sunken Meadow State Park field 3, the day’s festivities kick off at 4:30 PM with a kid’s 1/4 mile fun run, perfect for inspiring the next generation of runners and changemakers. The main 4K race will follow at 5 PM, providing an exciting and engaging opportunity for runners of all ages.
This is more than just a race; it’s a community event making memories around a campfire, catching a beautiful sunset (weather permitting), and roasting s’mores!
Gather your friends and family, lace up your running shoes, and be part of this special afternoon. Rain or shine, let’s come together to make a powerful impact in the lives of children affected by cancer. Make a difference today by signing up for MAGGIE’S SUNSET S’MORE-K!
“We are incredibly grateful to all who have supported and accompanied us on this journey. Thank you for standing with us in this vital fight.”
