As I hear my dad, my producer, and my cheerleader call out, “We just received two more amazing donations,” I yell back, “That’s so wonderful!” and rush out to get the details.  I am so overwhelmed by the generosity that has been given to me that I am close to tears.  And then I think, “I am still so far away from our goal.  Am I even going to be able to make this?  It’s so hard — this business of making a film, so many things you must do, so many people that need to be a part of it, so much of me depending on others to help me get to the creation…”

Then I think about my friend, her battles, her strength, her beauty, our friendship, and everything comes rushing back to me about why I am making this film, telling this story, pushing this mission.  Because I want to show the world that I had an amazing friendship with a person whose life was taken too soon.  I want to show the world that other children, like Teeja, have beautiful stories to be heard, and they should be included, invited, embraced, loved and treated the same regardless of their sickness.  And the fight comes back to me.

I also think about what we have done, who we have met and spoken with, how many people I have already exposed to this mission of mine, this story that I want to share.  These businesses, organizations, foundations, and individuals have taken the time to listen to me, a 14-year-old.  They support me in various ways and have given so much!

My fiscal sponsor, Elizabeth Coplan, who was introduced to me by my dad’s friend, Leslie  Cimino, who kickstarted my journey by believing in me.  Beth Knopik, who lost her own daughter and started a foundation, really became an inspired support to me. Mark Famiglio, CEO of the Sarasota Film Festival, took me in, supported me, introduced me to Patty and Gracie of the Children’s Cancer Center and with his team of Paul and Petra Ratner, put my announcement video into the opening pre-roll of the festival screenings. So many of our family friends, actors I work with, and business professionals all have helped me, and I am forever grateful.

There’s also an amazing gallery, Art Avenue, owned by Paul Sykes who put together a matching campaign that was matched quickly through donations by friends and friends of friends. And our wonderful lifelong neighbor, Jeffery Kin, of Sarasota Rising, helped introduce me to the American Cancer Society and the hosts at Suncoast View, a local news show where I will be featured in a couple of weeks!

So yes, it’s been hard.  We have been working for so many months, and we have so much more to do. But this journey has helped me continue to heal from the loss of my friend and find purpose as I continue this mission of helping educate others on children with cancer and other health issues. Will you come and share my mission?

No donation is too small.  No gesture of sharing this story too insignificant. 

Grateful always, Nya