giving back childhood
Meg's Story
Meg was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on December 23rd, 2015. She was 13 old at the time and was on vacation on the Oregon Coast. After spending the first month of treatment at Portland's Children's Hospital, she was allowed to come home to Virginia on January 21st only to go back into the hospital with a severe blood clot in her arm. She continued to face complication after complication during her chemotherapy treatment. From fungal meningitis, to pancreatitis, to steroid-induced diabetes, appendicitis, and even a gallbladder attack. If a weird side-effect of treatment was possible, Meg seemed to get it. Meg completed treatment on May 16th, 2018, and celebrated with a No More Chemo party!
Known as the mayor of the oncology floor, Meg was always social while inpatient at the hospital. Meg got to know the other children, the nurses, techs, and all of the doctors quite well and they became part of her family. As a way to give back to all of the people who supported her while she was sick, Meg started "Meg's Giveback" where she collected toys during the holidays to deliver them to children in the hospital during both Christmas and in July. Meg's Giveback is also through which Meg is able to fundraise for better outcomes for kids and a way for Meg to spread her story.
Meg is now a freshman in college and thriving. She is, as her mom likes to say, living life to the fullest. Meg loves deeply, and kindness and giving are both very important to her. Meg is a strong believer in advocacy and will always stand for things that she is passionate about. This is why Meg's Giveback is so important to her.
Meg loves to spend time with family and friends. She loves YouTube and watching her favorite TV shows. She loves writing and photo editing. Meg hopes to work in social media with a focus on advocacy in her future career.
Meg is a bubbly, kind, passionate, and resilient 19-year-old who just wants to make a difference in this life she was given. Life hasn't always been easy for her, but with the strength inside her and support from her community, she has continued to blossom into who she is today. Meg is so proud of Meg's Giveback and looks forward to seeing where it goes from here.
About Our Logo
The Meg’s Giveback logo is very special to Meg. The process of our logo was a collaborative effort. Back when Meg had the thought of wanting to start an official foundation, she had a specific person in mind that she knew had to create the logo.
First, she had to come up with a name. This took a little while. Meg knew that it had to be perfect. Of course, she eventually ended up with the perfect name that captures her mission and vision for the foundation. Meg’s Giveback: “Giving Back a Little Childhood.”
Meg then reached out to her friend Emily because she knew that Emily had to be a part of this special project. Of course, Emily, being who she is, was more than willing to create the logo. Meg is forever grateful for how patient Emily was in the process considering Meg changed it up a lot. That wasn’t all that needed to be done though. Meg knew that someone else needed to be a part of this.
Starting in 2016, Meg started her efforts by doing toy drives. She did them for 5 years before officially starting a foundation. In 2017, Meg met the Rosners; a family with a baby boy who was just diagnosed with a cancerous tumor called rhabdomyosarcoma. Meg gifted baby Justin Rosner a supersized teddy bear. Meg has forever said that it was the most meaningful gift she has given. Sadly, about 2 years later, Justin passed away. Meg lost touch with his family for a bit until Justin’s Mom, Melis Rosner, friended Meg on Facebook. While it took Meg a little to recognize Melis and make the connection of who she was, after about 6 months she had the realization. Meg reached out to Melis via messenger to ask how Justin was doing, only to find out that he had passed a few months prior.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt heartbreak like that doing the Giveback.” - Meg
Today, Meg is great friends with the Rosners. Meg feels it is her purpose to comfort this grieving family. Justin gave Meg so much and Meg continues to give Justin the same.
It was only fitting that we have the Rosners be a part of all this. Meg asked Kacey Rosner, Justin’s older sister to draw an outline of a teddy bear for the logo. Paying tribute to Justin, while also being a symbol for childhood.
“I’m forever grateful to Emily and Kacey for being a part of this. This all just makes this logo even more special. I could not be happier with how it turned out” - Meg