HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – A little less than three years ago, 8-year-old Maddie Schmidt lost her battle with a rare form of cancer. Maddie’s family turns tragedy into triumph by raising money for cancer research.

After a heroic ten-month battle, 8-year-old Maddie Scmidt lost her fight against diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. A rare form of cancer in December 2022.

Only 300 people per year are diagnosed with DIPG. Even after years of medical advancements, there is still no cure for DIPG.

“One of the reasons we really wanted to give back to families facing this horrible disease is because it is the deadliest pediatric brain cancer there is,” said Jennifer Capshaw. “Basically, you’re told to go home and make memories.”

Magic for Maddie was created by three sisters, Maddie’s mother and two aunts. Children with DIPG often die within 9 to 11 months of diagnosis, losing the ability to speak, walk, and eat. However, they remain cognitively conscious and, in a sense, are therefore trapped in their own body.

“It’s just horrible,” said Nora Scmidt.

Even though Maddie and her energetic spirit were taken far too soon, her family turns their sadness into service. Now I help other families going through the same difficulties.

The fundraiser itself includes a 5K run and a 3K family walk, as well as an entire carnival filled with all of Maddie’s favorite things.

“She was just this kid who could run a 5K at age seven, so when she got sick, we thought there was a better way to honor her and feel the love from the community than to do a 5k,” Capshaw added. “I think because of that it’s such a happy event. When they think of Maddie, they think of popcorn, cotton candy, rainbows and all the magical things we do. And I think it helps to not think about all the sadness they all faced.

The initial fundraising goal is $150,000.

Nora and Jennifer underestimated the community’s generosity, estimating they would make at least $200,000. An incredible show of support for an incredible girl.

“I think for me, my message would be ‘this matters,'” Scmidt noted. “Every dollar counts, every person that registers and shows up matters, every sponsorship matters. She was really just the light of our lives.

Registration for Saturday’s event costs $35 for adults, $15 for children, and includes carnival activities, entertainment, a t-shirt, parking and more.

For more information about the fundraiser or the Magic for Maddie Foundation, CLICK HERE.

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