A reporter calls first
Ayanna was 18, the oldest recipient we have ever served, because she turned 18 right before her campaign began. Alexis Means from 13abc saw a post about the campaign and reached out to Ayanna's mom directly.
Her mom called Lisa: they want to come out and do a story, is that okay? Lisa went to the hospital, met Ayanna, and the station interviewed her and her mom. How the surprise still held after a news story ran is anyone's guess, but it did.
Our biggest campaign yet
It was a fall campaign, and Ayanna received so many gifts and gift cards that we delivered everything at one of the Metroparks because there was too much for a living room.
Her mom and grandmother brought two cars to take it all home. It is still the largest campaign we have ever run.
He had relapsed and told his mom he could not do chemo again. Then 500 cards arrived from a local school.
Highland Elementary ran a dance off. The money the kids raised built an ADA ramp on the Biesiada family's house.
Kennedy's mom asked to keep her thank you short, then rewrote it many times.
