WELCOME!

We are using this page to share Juniper's story in order to raise money and awareness for Make-A-Wish Oregon. 

Juniper was selected as a 2024 Make-A-Wish ambassador AND her parents (Hailey and Derek) are once again participating in the Trailblaze Challenge. Whether you are donating to the Ambassador Program or for the Trailblaze Challenge, all money goes towards making wishes come true for future Wish Kids in Oregon. 

ABOUT JUNIPER: 

In August 2020, our six month old daughter, Juniper (or Juni) was diagnosed with a rare and catastrophic form of pediatric epilepsy called Infantile Spasms. Since that day, Juni has trialed over 13 medications, a VNS implant surgery, various holistic treatments, a medical ketogenic diet, and two brain surgeries (the most recent being a hemispherectomy surgery a few days after her first birthday). Unfortunately, Juniper still has seizures every single day. 

Due to her epilepsy and surgeries, Juniper has various permanent physical and intellectual disabilities. 

But Juni is so much more than a child with epilepsy. She is incredibly social and loves meeting new people. She has the biggest laugh and a smile that takes up her entire face. She loves bubbles, her big brothers, music, swimming, riding horses, dancing, and animal sound books. She's never met a cheese she dislikes, and much like her parents, adores being outside. 

ABOUT JUNIPER'S WISH:

Juniper and her entire family loves the outdoors. When she was two, she went camping for the first time, and in her parent's words: "It was a disaster!" 

One of Juniper's biggest seizure triggers is lack of sleep, and between sleeping on the ground, the sound of the campground, and the light coming through the tent, sleep was incredibly difficult. This meant a ton of seizures. It seemed like camping would no longer be possible. 

But in March of 2023, Juniper's wish for a travel trailer came true! She now enjoys camping with her entire family. Her favorite place to camp is near the beach. 

Juni has been through more in her four years of life than most experience in an entire lifetime. She faces many challenges and obstacles everyday and will continue to do so for the rest of her life. However, somehow, she keeps smiling... or sparkling as we often call it. 

If she can do hard things and keep going, so can we. That's why we (Derek aka "Dad" and Hailey aka "mom") are thrilled to take on this year’s Trailblaze Challenge- a 26.3 mile trek in July at Silverfalls State Park in support of Make-A-Wish. 

In addition to the physical challenge, we have committed ourselves to raising the essential funds necessary for Make-A-Wish to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses, just like Juniper. With your help, proving hope and joy during these uncertain times is possible.    

Wish kids are some of the most resilient and sweetest kids you'll ever know. We know because in 2023, Juniper became a wish kid. Due to her love of outdoors, her wish is to have a travel trailer so she can experience the beauty of Oregon (and surrounding areas) in a more accessible way. 

Make-A-Wish grants thousands of unique wishes each year. A lot, yes. But that’s only 50% of eligible kids, and now more than ever every child needs something positive to look forward to. We’re fundraising so more deserving kids and their families may know the true happiness, relief and renewal a wish can bring. 

Please help us support this impactful mission by helping us hit our fundraising goal.  Thank you for your support!