“What is Heed The Need,” you ask? Simply put, it is a project developed to help benefit the needs of others. Through the creation of Sweet Is The Spice, it became evident to me that my business would become the “vehicle” in which I could give back to individuals or organizations through purchases of Sweet Is The Spice products. For every spice blend purchased, $1.00 is donated.
How can you get involved to help someone you love and care about? Be their “sponsor”! A simple application process and phone interview are necessary to understand the “need” and how Sweet Is The Spice can help. The sponsor and I work together to bring awareness and raise money for the cause. Depending on the need, a time-frame is decided to determine how long the nomination process will last. In Makayla’s case…until the end of the year.
It was through Instagram that Christine from @c.r.a.v.i.n.g.s. and I connected. The cries for help were apparent to me in her posts and I couldn’t sit back and do nothing…so I reached out to Christine. Her strong desire to help her friend moved me. It was then that she understood the Heed The Need process and hit the ground running…for Makayla.
The following story was written by Makayla’s sponsor, Christine from @c.r.a.v.i.n.g.s.
Makayla and her sponsor, Christine
Hello Friends! If you follow me on Instagram you most likely have already seen my dear friend Makayla Borg. She is six years old and is fighting off an inoperable pilocytic astrocytoma (brain tumor). I’ve known Makayla her whole life and I would do absolutely anything to help her and her family out.
Makayla is six years old and lives with her family in Fairfield Ohio. She has an older brother Tyler who is 9, and a younger sister McKenzie who’s going on 2. Makayla was recently diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma.
After several operations to insert drainage tubes and reduce swelling, Makayla underwent chemotherapy for about two weeks and it ravaged her body and spirit. Fortunately her parents were able to get her into an alternative treatment clinic in Houston, Texas.
At the Burzynski Clinic, Makayla’s parents can purchase treatments and bring them to their home in Fairfield, Ohio. Which means she can attend school with her friends, be a part of The Girl Scouts, and get well at home! She gets check ups every few months to make sure everything is on track. The best part about this treatment is it seems to be working thus far and has none of the harmful side effects that come with chemo or radiation. After one month of treatment, her tumor shrank a very small amount but is also 34% less active which means it is dying off!
Makayla entered my life at about two-months old when her parents enrolled her in my family’s daycare. She won us all over with her joyful demeanor even in infancy. The other children gravitated towards her, and my brother, sister, and I adored her from day one. Even after they relocated from California to Ohio, she remained a part of our family along with her siblings and parents. I love her like a sister.
My family and I visited Makayla earlier this summer after we learned of her diagnosis and I was blown away by her feistiness, strength, and courage. When faced with the pains of surgery and endless hospital visits she responded by smiling and asking for prayers. When faced with losing her hair from treatment she responded by preemptively shaving her head to donate her hair to other children. When faced with all the ways in which cancer would forever change her life she responded with, “I’ll be different on the outside, but I’m still be the same on the inside”.
Heed The Need nominates Makayla
Even on the bad days Makayla manages a smile. She comforts her parents when they are overwhelmed—ensuring them that everything will be ok. She fights off her body aches and pains and spends time playing with her older brother Tyler and little sister McKenzie. Words are inadequate when trying to describe the courageous light inside such a young person. She inspires me with her bravery in the face of such pain and struggles.
The road to her recovery is long and costly. Her family needs help to provide Makayla with the long-term treatment she will need for such an aggressive form of cancer. The family has organized several fundraisers but they need all the help they can get.
Ways you can help!
PURCHASE SWEET IS THE SPICE PRODUCTS. For each blend sold, $1 will be donated to Makayla.
She also has a GO FUND ME page.
Simply spread the word! This is probably the most helpful thing of all. Getting the word out there is key to help Makayla raise the money she needs to continue her treatment.
The Borg family, The Carlson family and us here at Sweet Is The Spice, are so grateful for your prayers, well-wishes, positive vibes and good energy!
Check out Christine’s blog at www.whatdoyoucrave.info for amazing recipes, gorgeous photos, lifestyle stories and more! And be sure to sign up for her newsletter!
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