McKenna Smith had been thinking about doing something for the NF community. She wanted more people to understand NF, and she wanted to raise funds to help individuals and families find care, resources, support, and connection.
Then she saw NF Midwest’s Walk Your Way campaign and sent us a message.
From there, McKenna got to work!
In only a few weeks, she created McKenna’s Journey of Hope, a community event that welcomed more than 100 people and raised more than $1,000 for NF Midwest!
A Young Woman with a Powerful Story
At 25, McKenna has already been through an extraordinary amount.
She was diagnosed with NF1 when she was one year old. Since then, she has undergone 30 surgeries and multiple treatments. Three different times in her young life, McKenna has faced the enormous task of learning how to walk again.
That is an incredible amount for anyone, especially someone who is so young.
At one point, McKenna wondered whether she would ever be able to work. Today, she has a job she loves and has held for four years. She is also using her experiences to bring hope to others and help more people understand what it can mean to live with NF.
Before the event, KSMU interviewed McKenna and shared her story with listeners throughout the Springfield, MO area. It was another opportunity for McKenna to speak up, spread awareness, and introduce more people to NF.
Look What McKenna Created
On September 12, Park Central Square in Springfield filled with pop-up vendors, baked goods, raffles, food, balloons, temporary tattoos, and people ready to support McKenna.
She found vendors, gathered raffle items, prepared activities, distributed flyers, invited people, and talked with others throughout the community. NF Midwest helped her navigate the city permit process and provided support along the way.
McKenna brought the event to life!
More than 100 people attended, and more than half were new faces. Some already knew and loved McKenna. Others heard about the event through a flyer, a conversation, or the KSMU interview.
Each new face meant another opportunity to share McKenna’s story and help someone understand NF.
Together, they raised more than $1,000!
Because McKenna acted, more people learned about NF. The funds she raised will support NF Midwest’s work helping individuals and families find trusted information, care, support, and a community of people who understand.
McKenna is Already Looking Ahead
McKenna is planning to bring Journey of Hope back in 2027. With more time to prepare, she hopes to grow the event and find even more ways to spread awareness in her community.
If you have ever wished more people understood what NF means for you or someone you love, you can help change that.
McKenna’s way was a community event in the heart of Springfield, MO. If you’ve been thinking of spreading awareness and raising funds in your community, we can help you with the next steps!
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