HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. – At the May 17th general meeting, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (Centerport), formally recognized Donna Schmidt of Maggie’s Mission with the presentation of an official proclamation. Prior to her passing away from a rare form of cancer, Maggie, the daughter of Donna and Steve Schmidt (co-founders of Maggie’s Mission), asked them to assist other children enduring similar circumstances, thus leading to the non-profit’s creation.
Since its inception, Maggie’s Mission has brought much-needed awareness to pediatric cancer. In addition, the organization helps fund research to treat and hopefully one day cure the various forms of the diseases that have tragically cut short so many young lives. Maggie’s Mission has an annual gala, gaining more and more traction every year, which attracts supporters from far and wide to advance this noble cause.
“It is absolutely heart wrenching to hear about the pain and suffering children and their families go through when touched by pediatric cancer. However, Maggie’s Mission has turned a tragedy into a source of hope and support,” said Bontempi.
In fact, part of Maggie’s Mission is to provide support to the families of children fighting cancer, and since 2017 the organization has raised thousands of dollars to do just that. As if that were not enough, the organization helps the community at-large with events such as blood drives that ultimately save the lives of people of all ages. Further still, Maggie’s Mission hopes to one day see the establishment of pediatric hospice centers on Long Island, which were not an available option for Maggie.
“Maggie’s Mission is thankful and proud to be recognized by Stephanie Bontempi and the Suffolk County Legislature for the work we do every day since losing our only daughter Maggie Schmidt to cancer, almost 5 years ago on June 1, 2017 at age 17. We’ve made it our life’s mission to help families and children affected by pediatric cancers. In honor of Maggie and her love of children. Maggie, we love and miss you too much…,” said Donna Schmidt.
To learn more about Maggie’s Mission, visit: https://www.maggiesmission.org/.