In bad times, and on difficult journeys, parents are there for their kids, holding their hands and kissing boo-boos. But when a child has a critical health condition, parents take on an even greater role. They work tirelessly to ensure their child gets the extra care, love, and support they need. But it can be tough, and even they need a little cheering up sometimes. And little Tegan has been that cheerful spirit for her family in their hard times, even though she is one with the critical health condition.

At the age of 3, Tegan was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, but she has been a warrior through it all. Not only has she been a fighter in this hard time of her life, but Tegan has also brought smiles to her family as they walk this journey with her. Katrina, Tegan’s mother, shares, “While it has been an emotional journey… Tegan continues to put a smile on every person’s face she comes in contact with, and touches people in a special way, nothing stops her! She doesn’t let her disease disable her; she takes it head-on!”

In celebration of such a brave and smiling girl, Icing Smiles was happy to help her receive a special cake for her fourth birthday. Expertly crafted by our lovely Sugar Angel Ebony, Tegan’s cake is Frozen 2 themed. It features the spirited and cheerful Olaf, not unlike Tegan herself.

Tegan and her family are more than grateful for Ebony’s work on the cake, with Katrina explaining, “we had horrible weather, we had two last minute change locations, and the cake was perfect! Ebony was so sweet, and she went above and beyond to make Tegan’s day SO special!!!!”

Thank you to all of our Sugar Angels helping so many families celebrate through this hard time! And to our very special families: thank you for helping us share the love–and the cake!

With smiles + cake,

Candyce Palmer

Icing Smiles Blog Writer

Natalia was set to start school in the fall of 2018. Even though germs can be very harmful to her, she had been healthy her whole life and she started at the same school her mother had been teaching at. Within two months of starting Kindergarten, Natalia became so sick that her lung function dropped by almost 50%. They immediately admitted her to the hospital and ran many tests to find the problem. Within three weeks of being at the hospital (three hours away from home and her other family and friends), she was given difficult news. Test results had shown she was battling three major infections in her lungs and her medical team did not know what the outcome would be.

While in the hospital, her family celebrated her sixth birthday and missed their long-awaited (and saved for) Disney Cruise. Once discharged from the hospital, her family spent the next year administering around the clock IV medicines. She completed four procedures, more than 40 blood draws and over 1440 hours spent doing breathing treatments. Natalia was not allowed to return back to school and her mother became her full-time caregiver.

2018-2019 has been a challenging year for Natalia’s family, to say the least. However, two days before her much-awaited seventh birthday party, she was given a clean bill of health from her medical team! It was a very special birthday, as the last two birthdays have been spent at the hospital. Her family celebrated with an amazing unicorn cake baked by Sugar Angel Michelle Leckenbusch. Not only was the unicorn 3D, but it was also drinking Starbucks!

May is National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Thousands of volunteers will come together across the country to raise awareness about this disease and tell stories of hope and progress. More than 30,000 Americans are living with cystic fibrosis. There are numerous fundraisers and volunteer opportunities around the country. There are also places to donate to CF research with the goal of finding a cure. To learn more about how to get involved, visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

With love + cake,

Olivia Graupmann

Icing Smiles Blog Writer