Day + 13 Relief

After a night of not sleeping the greatest, and just a crummy few days of no counts, Mia got relief in the form of platelets, a blood transfusion, and a visit from her cousin Jabe & Nurse Rachel (On her day off!) All she can do is sleep, her sleep schedule is a bit off ... so she has been sleeping better during the day.

Rest up sweet Mia, so your body can use all your energy to make ALL the cells.

Mia had a VERY special surprise, dad secretly drove down Mia's cousin Jabe, as he was visiting nearby in the Scottsdale area. Ahhhh, what a special time, she absolutely loves her cousin so much. 

Click here / Jabe Visits Mia ... to see the cutest Tik Tok video of her surprise!

During this time, Mia recieved Platelets & a Blood transfusion. Her platelets were at 10 and hgb at 7.8. Still hoping & praying to see some cells appear very soon.

Sweet nurse Rachel came in on her day off to visit <3 God really knows the people to put in your path. We both just can't say that enough.

Dad and Jabe helped & motivated Mia to get 1 (small) lap in around the unit ... let's go!

If you wondering why Jabe is so tall, it's because he is. Mia is beyond proud of her cousin who plays basketball for the Washington State University (WSU) #GoCougs  He is number 3 <3

Can you believe Jabe and Mia were born in the same year and only 7 months apart? Haha. He got Granpdpa Dennis' tall genes (Mia did not lol.) 

Family is SO important, and visits like this refreshes the soul.

Dad was also there to lend a helping hand. Go dad!

Thank you Jabe for taking the time to visit, we love you so much!

One of the night nurses, sweet Julie, got these amazing Bundt Cakes for Mia's transplant day party, which Madison absolutley loved. So a special delivery is headed your way Maddy!

Sorry, Jabe and I ate one, haha! They are so yummy :)

Having no counts makes you beyond exhausted. So we did all the going to bed things, like brush teeth in the bed becasue she can't stand for that long. Ugh, this will pass Mia, just keep on hanging on, hour by hour, minute by minute. 

Blood Drive @ Santan Jr. High

Hi everyone, it’s Mia here! Today I got the opportunity to visit a blood drive held in my name at my old junior high school. The reason this meant so much to me is that these faces I was able to see today were sharing life.
I love shopping and hanging out with friends, family, and my dogs. I feel thankful each time I receive a blood transfusion and get to renew the opportunity to do these things for one month more.
There are many others that are blessed by blood donations in the same way, and I sincerely say thank you to everyone who takes a morning, afternoon, lunch break, etc., out of their day to extend the lives of others like me!
#DonateBlood #GiveBlood #SaveaLife #blessedtobehere

Mia Speaks at Highland High School

Mia had the opportunity to speak to the students at 

Highland High School 

about how she survives because of blood donors.

The students are hosting a blood drive

in February and are trying to recruit as many blood donors as

they can. We hope Mia's story can help inspire

others to donate blood.

Way to go Mia!

Mia doing her thing...

These teachers are the BEST!

There class is a community service class - and one event

they do is host several blood drives.

Every school should have teachers as awesome

as they are.

Haha what a great class!

Thank you so much to these amazing people for giving back to the

community in such a way where it helps patients like Mia.

We don't know what we would do with you!!

United Blood Services - Blood Drive

Twice a year, UBS puts on a very large blood drive to raise

awareness of how important blood donations are in our state, 

as well as all over our country.

In the state of Arizona - we need 500 people to donate blood 

EVERY DAY

to keep our hospitals up to date with the blood that patients like

Mia NEED (REQUIRE) to stay alive.

We are so thankful to:

United Blood Services

For all their hard work in keeping not only Mia alive,

but everyone else who needs a blood product to stay alive.

MOST IMPORTANTLY...we thank the people

who take the time out of their day to simply donate blood.

It truly is no big deal to some people, but...

you literally save lives when you do it.

Thank you UBS and all the people that work there for what you do.

Honestly, we could never say thank you enough. <3

Be the Match - Comicon

Mia and I both were really excited for our first Comicon

experience at the Phoenix Convention Center - for Be The Match!

Little did we know, that Mia would be IN a comic book.

How cool is that?!! It looks just like her too.

The story is really neat, about how Mia needs a match 

for a bone marrow transplant.

The Be The Match booth was right next to the blood drive...which is exactly

what 'Mia's Marrow' is all about. We point people towards 2 things that are

'FREE' - Donating Blood & Donating Bone Marrow - to

help save lives.

Thanks UBSAZ - We sure love all your awesome workers!

Mia saying thank you to blood donors, she is so sweet!

Mia's 155 Blood Transfusion

Never Stop Giving...

That's what Mia's shirt says.

(She designed it thru Paperclouds Apparel)

Never stop giving...of your time, blood, and bone marrow!

All these things help keep Mia alive.

"Never Stop Giving"

Can't forget about the homework either...

way to go Mia, even in the hospital she gets it done!

Loving the both our shirts Mia designed...

Always nice to see a sister when in the hospital. 

Mia took a trip up to Sophie's Place and jammed out

on the ukulele...with dad. All in all it was a good day!

___________________________________________

May 1st, Mia's School Blood Drive

in honor of her.

The goal: 26 blood donations

Received: 31 donations & 2 power red = 33 units!

33 People will go on living thanks to this blood drive.

Thanks DAD for donating!! 

Crossroads Nazerene Youth Group

Mia had the chance to speak to the youth group about 

the importance of donating blood during one of their 

gatherings at their Church. 

These students are having a contest to come up 

with some kind of campaign to raise awareness of the 

importance of donating blood.

Mia hopes to be a judge and help pick out who wins

this creative contest. It can be art work, a play, a video..

photo or anything. How fun!

One of the prizes is one of Mia's #DonateBlood shirts

that she designed. SO Cool!

Thank you to Barbara the blood drive coordinator

at the church for reaching out to see if Mia could speak...

she clearly loved it, I thought she would never

give up the microphone!

And of course a special thanks to Sharon our 

United Blood Services Representative for 

always being there with us, and for us!

After Mia's doctor appointment, we stopped by

Highland High School to say thanks to the students,

parents, and teachers for taking the time to donate blood.

Mia's blood counts were actually very low (8.4 hgb)

so we didn't stay long.

The theme was surfing...to cute!

Mia loves surfing in California.

Hang 10 and Save 3 Lives!