A Cause Near & Dear To My Heart

Nearly 10 years ago I joined a women’s group and met Sara. We soon became friends. And we have remained friends. And she is dear to me, I tell ya. When she and her husband became pregnant for the first time, they hired me as their educator and doula which was so special. Their sweet Lola was born in March of 2020 - right as the world was locking down due to the pandemic - and that little girl has been a bright spot in the lives of so many people ever since.

Just shy of her first birthday Lola (or Lo, as she’s most often called) was diagnosed with an awful rare disease that does not have a cure. Yep. You read that right. The sweet girl pictured with me above with a smile that lights up the room and whose laugh is infectious got the worst news anyone - or their parents - could imagine. She’s not letting that stop her though, she keeps on keeping on and is doing so well today!

Together with her mama, dada, and a crew of amazing doer-types, I get to help in the inaugural Hope With Lo 5K this fall! We hope to raise at least $40,000 for rare diseases and less than two weeks after the event was launched, we were more than halfway to that goal! All proceeds will go to the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders and will help give kids like Lo the hope and chance that they all deserve.

This probably won’t be the last time you hear from me about this event. I am doing all I can to help raise awareness, funds, and HOPE FOR LO!