09/16/2022
The 12th annual Kennady’s Dream walk n roll for SMA is about a week away!!
As we are prepping all things walk— I love to go back and reminisce about previous years and how far we’ve come!!!! YOU all make this possible year to year and you have been an amazing support system and advocates for spinal muscular atrophy!
12 years!!!!!!!! 🥳
THIS is what progress looks like:
• We have funded wagons year after year to newly diagnosed families to help transport their kids and equipment. This was a lifesaver when we had Kennady. She had to lay flat to help her breathing AND she had many machines to cart along. A traditional stroller no where near could cut it. It also helped her independence within our home. We receive messages/pictures on occasion from families that have received these wagons and have stated the same thing. It was not something they may have planned for initially or thought of in midst of the initial diagnosis— but it was so helpful in their journey! For many years, money raised from our walks has funded this cause! You have helped families gain more independence and lessen their burden.
• We have raised well over $150,000 through the years between the walks, birthday Facebook fundraisers, and other generous donations. This is likely a gross underestimate (some day I will try to figure this actual number out). That’s a lot of support!!!! THANK YOU all from the bottom of our hearts! That’s a huge accomplishment!
• I hear all the time about you guys sporting your SMA/Kennady gear in public and stopping one another to share how you are connected. Or I hear stories about how you have worn your shirts and get stopped by total strangers that want to learn more about SMA or find out how someone else may have also been affected by SMA within their friend/family circles. Sharing that education and awareness is so important for change 🥰 We love this connection and awareness that you guys continue in the community.
• There are numerous treatment options that were not available for Kennady 12 years ago that are now available today. These walks and the fundraisers make that possible. CureSMA has changed our lives and continue to change the lives of so many every year. We learned so much about how to care properly for a child with SMA through this organization, the families we met, and the doctors that we were connected with. It has been another family for us through the years- long after Kennady had passed away. Some children with her type of SMA are now crawling, WALKING, and have improved quality of life and outcomes. That brings tears to our eyes because there are so many families that do not have to go through what we went through 12 years ago.
Through all these wins… there is still fight and growth left to happen. There are even more advancements to be made— and hopefully one day a cure!
So we need your support still. We would love to see you next weekend: Saturday, Sept 24 at our 12th Kennady’s Dream walk at Fox Brook Park in Brookfield, WI. Bring your families… bring your friends!! If you cannot attend, you can still donate or create a fundraiser online to share! You can still be part of the day!
Register, donate, or form a team below 👇
https://walk-curesma.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=568&fbclid=IwAR1LUatjATc2tTOlXS9x0SnLkU2Kct50x8AgehYcB67JktFpuGhdsq0f2pU
Reminisce and enjoy some of our photos from the years 🥰 Happy 12 years, everyone! And glad we are back in person this year!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you all for your continued support, love and advocacy in memory of our sweet Kennady
