Some of our generous sponsors, supporters, and donors.
“Maggie’s Mission would not exist were it not for the generosity of our family. Particularly, Maggie’s grandparents, Thomas and Diane DeSousa, her Uncles Anthony, Thomas, and Michael DeSousa. Their kindness and support both during her illness and after her passing has meant everything to us and to the success of our foundation which gives back to families and children like ours, struck by the tragedy of a diagnosis of pediatric cancer.
We are also grateful to Maggie’s father’s family for their support and understand we are fortunate to have such strong family bonds, as we realize that isn’t the case for many. ”
Maggie’s Mission is proud of the work we do and even prouder of the organizations and people who support us.
We thank each and every one one of you for helping us raise awareness of pediatric cancers, fund research, and provide help to families and children affected.
We’d like to say a very special thank you to The Red Hot Chili Peppers who befriended Maggie when she attended one of their “Getaway Tour” concerts at Madison Square Garden on February 17, 2017 while she was sick and undergoing treatment.
After the concert, in a chance meeting backstage, the entire band tuned into Maggie and welcomed her - asking what her favorite album and song was. They invited her to the next nights concert but she couldn’t make it, so they chose to honor Maggie by playing and dedicating the song “Don’t Forget Me” to her. You can listen to that song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5d-NP2wDWw - the ending got cut off but Anthony Kiedis yelled “This song is for Maggie Schmidt. For Always!” Maggie would ask us what they meant by the words “For Always” but that’s a tough question to answer to a teenage girl who was still holding onto hope that’s she might live. We now use part of their lyrics and words as some of the language for the Foundation.
Former band member and lead guitarist Josh Klinghoffer reached out to Maggie and invited her to any concert she could attend on their tour.
Maggie did get to attend two additional concerts in Florida but it was after she had been diagnosed as terminal. By the time the chosen dates rolled around in April, we were not even sure if Maggie could physically make it but make it she did. She was strong and extremely determined.
In addition to the friendship and peace the band offered to Maggie and to us by allowing our family to become a small part of their world during the most difficult time in our lives, they also donated money to our fledgling Foundation.
We will be forever grateful for their understanding, compassion, and acts of pure kindness and selflessness towards Maggie and our family. We know it helped her through the unimaginable and us as well. We consider all of them angels, particularly Josh Klinghoffer.
