Mia is a well-known and beloved 16-year-old who loves cheerleading, skiing, swimming, biking, music, camping, hanging out with friends, and journaling for hours.
Mia was born with Down syndrome. Aside from having to undergo open-heart surgery at 8 weeks old, she has been fairly healthy. In September 2025, she began getting sick frequently and started to experience weakness, pain, and difficulty walking.
After having her blood drawn, Mia was quickly life-flighted to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, where she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
ALL is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow where white blood cells are produced.
Mia is in treatment and receiving chemotherapy using a combination of oral and IV chemo medications, steroids, and frequent lumbar punctures.
Mia has a PICC line, which is long term IV access on her upper arm that saves her from multiple needle pokes, but it requires special care to prevent infection.
Mia and her family live in Bend but must travel to Portland for treatment, often spending significant time apart as a result.
Mia has big goals, including learning ceramics and pottery and selling her art. She also hopes to own a puppy, go to college, and she dreams of swimming with dolphins someday.
Mia will be adopted as a Sparrow to Caldera High School. Students will work hard to earn money for Mia through sponsored community service, supporting her and cheering her on as she and her family continue to navigate her medical journey.
