Making a Difference

 My journey began Feb 2017. Ever since I was 6, I knew I wanted to become a doctor to help save children. I got my footing into the pediatric world at age 16 and hurdled through many obstacles with the intent of keeping my eye on my goal. I spent 7 years in pediatrics before I realized that primary care wasn’t for me. I wanted to do something of more meaning; something that would change the life of children. I dove into pre-Med where my focus was pediatric surgery and oncology as I spent my entire college career conducting research. Upon the beginning stages of med school, I became pregnant and I took a step back to focus on motherhood. But it never hindered my passion; in fact, it was heightened.
2017 is the year my life was changed divinely. This was the year that opened my eyes with the clarity of the reality that I already knew, yet never truly embedded within me as life rolled through the motions. The year that made me pray ever so deeply and to hug, love, laugh, and say I love you even more to my children. I hug my children harder, I love deeper, and I live every moment in awe. My passion for these superhero children runs deep within me and I will continue to pursue advocacy; to spread awareness of childhood cancer and to partner with research foundations to focus on less toxic treatments and a cure.
Children are my life and I really wanted to do something impactful. I decided God had plans for me when I resigned from my position at the hospital and focused on my children. I was then introduced to a little boy named Blake. He had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia; sadly he passed away at the age of 2. My heart was invested in him and I took his passing very hard. As I looked upon my little boy’s face (who at the time was close to Blakey’s age) I cried. I was so heartbroken and so angry! Blakey passed away due to complications of failed treatments.
There has to be SO MUCH MORE for these incredible little superheroes. On the day Blakey died, I was revived with a more acute and fine-tuned purpose. The image of his lifeless body enwrapped in his mother and father’s arms ripped me apart. The sorrow and anger consumed me; I used this anger and sorrow to fuel my mission.
I wanted to pave a path of advocacy and to join forces with all of the small organizations out there to make our voices louder than ever for these children.
Ian is a little boy, 2 years old, who was diagnosed with DIPG; an inoperable brain tumor with a short life span after diagnosis. After a year past diagnosis, he is still alive today; thriving. How incredible is that? Not only do I want to help celebrate such an accomplishment, but I want to understand why his results vary so vastly from others with the same diagnosis. Little Ian “Buddy boy” is such an incredible superhero and he too has stolen a piece of my heart.
I’ve been asked many times, “How can I endure these stories, how can I invest so much into children that I don’t know? Why do I care so much to advocate and stand beside these children when I have 2 healthy children of my own?”
My answer ─ because I don’t believe that a child has to be mine to be a voice, to want to help; to love them. Because every child on this earth deserves a chance no matter what; every child is precious and should never have to fight with every cell of their body to LIVE. Because someone NEEDS to give a damn.
I’ve always had this innate ability of empathy. I feel deeply and I put myself in other’s shoes. As I began my journey, I did this privately and discretely. I don’t do this for recognition; I do it because I sincerely care. I push through this mission with the belief that children deserve a voice and the speaking of experiences whilst sharing their stories help to spread the awareness. I don’t believe in turning away from the hard things. We need to be brought face to face with the reality that the world puts a sheath over. We need to unveil the stories of these little warriors and allow parents to focus on their children during this fight. It takes a village and no child fights alone.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many parents and children along this journey. And I’ve had the privilege of discussing many cases with parents while falling in love with each and every child virtually. I try to be as personable as possible as I believe that it’s imperative to look at each and every child as the very special child that they are; they are not just a number.
It’s been a long road as Small but Mighty Heroes has come from the shadows and our mission has been introduced to the public. I realized that being discrete and private didn’t allow for voices to be heard. This journey has never been easy. I have the most incredible support from my husband who has stuck by my side every step of the way as I continue to pursue my mission. He has wiped every tear, listened to every story, picked me up when I felt defeated and beside myself; questioning what the hell I was doing and why I thought I was good enough to try and make such a significant change. Who am I? My husband never lacked the words of support to help me get back on my feet. Through my tears, anger, frustrations, heartaches, ambitions, and so many nights of late night research and interviews, my husband has been there and has supported me. He helps in many aspects of this organization and never shows to be too busy for his services. Our children too are incredible as they both endure every event, every travel, and every effort that encompasses this organization. I couldn’t be more proud of our children for their passion to want to help sick children.
After nearly 7 months of publicly announcing our existence, on October 1, 2019, all of the hard work had finally been noticed. We are registered with the state of FL and the IRS as we are now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
This is just the beginning of bigger changes. We are small, but mighty. 

Kim is the business and management consultant for Small but Mighty Heroes. The experience she brings to the organization is extensive and valuable.  

She brings with her the experience of management as she was the manager in 2 different law firms for a combination of nearly 15 years. She had received her BA in Digital technology and started a photography company called Magick Effects Photography where she specialized in weddings, families, senior portraits and model portfolios. 

Kim later became certified through the Life Mastery Institute as a Personal Coach. She since then has relaunched her photography business in a new direction after learning about the power of Boudoir & Glamour photography. Now she uses her coaching and photography skills to help women, not only get beautiful photographs of themselves, but to also experience confidence and beauty in a way never before experienced and empowerment.  

Samantha always knew she wanted to work with children. All of her family, friends, and even strangers have told her how “amazing” she is with children; how she was a “natural born and would make an amazing mom one day”. After a tragic moment that happened in her childhood where her youngest sister almost lost her life, she knew she wanted to be in medicine and help children. While in high school, she nannied and took early childhood education classes. She thought she wanted to be a teacher rather than go to medical school. However; going to USF would change that. While attending USF, she worked as a nanny and volunteered at St. Joseph’s Children’s hospital as a baby holder and a PICU specialist. During that time she met so many wonderful children that unfortunately would not get to see another day. While this was heart-wrenching and made her sad, it changed her life. That moment confirmed her choice in wanting to work in medicine and she could not only see these children but do more; be more than just be a friendly face. It confirmed that she wanted to be a Pediatric Physician Assistant. In 2019, she graduated with two Bachelor’s degrees; One in Health Science and another in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. She currently works full-time as a pharmacy tech and part-time as an ophthalmology tech. On top of it all, she also works for an amazing organization called SBMH. 

"It gives me great joy to work for such a wonderful organization and to have become such an involved volunteer in such a short amount of time.  Two favorite quotes: ”Children are like wet cement, whatever fall on them makes an impression” --Dr. Haim Ginott “When you treat a disease you win, you lose. When you treat a person, I guarantee you win no matter the ourcome”-- patch adams"