Maya’s Story

Site created on April 11, 2011

Hello!  Welcome to my website!  My name is Maya Collins.  I am 12 years old and I have been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).  I had a bone marrow transplant on September 1st, 2011 and my cancer went into remission but we found out in May 2012 that I had relapsed.  I had my second bone marrow transplant on August 3, 2012.  All was wonderful for 4 years!  I went back to dance classes, horseback riding and made straight A's in school!  I was able to enjoy life to the fullest until the end of June 2016 when unfortunately we discovered that I had relapsed again.  So, I enter the battle for a 3rd time, but I'm strong and fully recovered from my treatments 4 years ago so I'm ready to kick cancer to the curb once and for all!   Please follow my journey.  It's going to be a long, hard road, but with the love, prayers and support of my family and friends I know I can do it!  


We are currently at St. Jude in Memphis while she is recovering from her 3rd bone marrow  transplant.  Here is our mailing address:

Maya Collins - PATIENT
1811 Poplar Ave.
Target House 2, Apt. #319
Memphis, TN  38104


Bonnie's email address:  bcdesign@cinci.rr.com



Newest Update

Year End Update

Journal entry by Bonnie Collins —

I don't get on here a whole lot.  To be honest, I don't know how many people really follow us on here anymore.  But I do like to do an update from time to time to let any of you who still follow us know what an impact Maya's life has made.  I'm really proud to report today that this year has  been nothing short of remarkable, and we are THRILLED to share with you some of the incredible milestones we've achieved together. THANK YOU to our incredible supporters for your unwavering support!  THANK YOU for sticking it out with us all these years and THANK YOU for helping us to make Maya's life MEAN something.  Knowing that we can do SOME good in her memory... to turn her tragedy into something GOOD, brings peace to my soul.  Keeping her memory alive in a positive way, and helping other families and children who are dealing with the devastation of pediatric cancer brings some sort of MEANING to what happened to her... because I still grapple with that every. single. day. 

I'm excited to report what we have accomplished this year through The Live Life Maya Foundation:

• We gifted $50K to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to support their new Leukemia Center for Advanced Therapies and Research. We are excited to be their FIRST gift for this incredible research institution!
•We supported $50K in pediatric cancer family support, paying their bills directly, such as rent, mortgage, gas, electric, and utilities.
• We raised over $31,500 for St. Jude
• We donated over over $21K to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society benefiting their innovative Dare to Dream project.
• We gifted $10K in Isaac Miller's honor (a local brain tumor survivor) to Cincinnati Children's Hospital benefiting a brain tumor research initiative.
• We hosted a photo session with So Many Angels, transforming pediatric cancer patients on canvas into what they dream to be when they grow up (see photos below)!
• We contributed $2600 to The Make-a-Wish Foundation.
• We contributed to the Mason City Schools Opening Day Teacher's Breakfast.
• We gifted red wagons and portable mattresses to families with new diagnoses, along with numerous gift cards, groceries and more.
• We contributed $1800 + gift cards and toys and a new 12' Christmas tree to the Ronald McDonald House.
• We gifted a $1500 scholarship to Grace McKay, an aspiring nurse and pediatric cancer survivor.
• We gifted holiday family photo sessions with Little Rascals Photography to several pediatric cancer families.
 
We want all of you to know how grateful we are for your continuous support. If you are considering end-of-year donations, we ask that you consider The Live Like Maya Foundation, so we can continue to make a difference in the lives of pediatric cancer patients and their families.
 
We do have an Amazon Wish list and we are gathering items for both Cincinnati Children's and the Ronald McDonald House.  We will be collecting items through the end of the month.  These items will be distributed all year long.  To shop our wish list click here.   Items ordered should ship directly to us, or you can ship to 4801 Appaloosa Trail, Mason, OH 45040. 
 
We wish all of you a blessed holiday season!
 
To donate visit: https://livelikemaya.org/donate.html or Venmo: LIVELIKEMAYA.
 
For more info visit our newsletter at: bit.ly/41rlOZU

 

Read More of the journal titled "Year End Update"
  • $50,000 to Cincinnati Children's new Leukemia Center for Advanced Therapies and Research
    $50,000 to Cincinnati Children's new Leukemia Center for ...
  • $10,000 benefiting a brain tumor research initiative in Isaac Miller's honor (a local brain tumor survivor)
    $10,000 benefiting a brain tumor research initiative in Isaac ...
  • $21,350 benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Dare to Dream Project
    $21,350 benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Dare to ...
  • So Many Angels Photo Session - transforming pediatric cancer patients on canvas into what they dream to be when they grow up!
    So Many Angels Photo Session - transforming pediatric cancer ...
  • $31,565 benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
    $31,565 benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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