So we were invited to the first annual Picnic in the Park patient reunion with Dr. Waner and Dr. Berenstein. Of course we jumped at the opportunity to go. It was a blessing all around. To get to chat with other families and see her doctors and nurses without asking how surgery went was awesome! We met quite a few families today, saw some that we’ve seen in waiting rooms before. We really liked all of the people I met and am looking forward to connecting with some of them futher.

We were also approached by a 21 year old who had the same condition as Mary Elizabeth and she was a beautiful young girl with dark hair and gorgeous eyes. She came to us and said Mary Elizabeth reminds her of herself when she was that age, that she felt like she was looking at herself when she saw her. It was so nice to connect with her, We are hoping to find her online to hear more about her journey, she used to have a trach, and a feeding tube- (obviously not anymore) she was there with her supportive sister and they talked about how tough she was and whatnot. It was good to see her doing well and happy.

Anyway, they are hoping to do more for the families affected by conditions such as Mary Elizabeth’s and other ones similar to it in some ways. They are looking to connect parents and get support for them, but they are also fundraising for those families who need it.

Please visit www.vbiny.com and www.wanerkids.org for more information.

I’d urge you if you can at all, donate… in any amount, at any time by going to https://wanervascularanomaly.org/donation

And in the "in honor of" box you can put Mary Elizabeth Raia  

Here are some pictures from today.

Mary Elizabeth by the sign in front of the event

Janna (surgical nurse for Dr Waner) Mary Elizabeth and Dr. Berenstein (who did her sclerotherapy procedures- and also brought Dr Waner to NYC)

Mary Elizabeth with Dr. Waner- who has been helping her since she was 3 months old