Michael’s Mitzvah Project

Michael’s Mitzvah Project

(In memory of Briana Kathleen Loeding)

On April 4, 2020, Michael will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah. One important part of the preparation for his big day is to participate in the most important Mitzvah (good deed) called Tikkun Olam, which is the Jewish concept defined by acts of kindness performed to perfect or repair the world.

Today (April 11, 2019) Briana Loeding should have been celebrating her 9th birthday. However, Briana lost her 10-month battle with Osteosarcoma in August 2018. Osteosarcoma is somewhat rare and makes up about 2% of all childhood cancers. Childhood cancers, in general, receive only 4% of the Nation’s funding for cancer research (split across 10+ cancer types). Treatment for Osteosarcoma hasn’t changed in 30 years and Briana endured grueling chemotherapy which left her very sick. She experienced 2 amputations of part of her right leg. And through it all, she was #BraveBriana.

Michael only met Briana once, before her diagnosis, but he was very affected that a child he knew now had cancer. He was always asking for updates on her status and very concerned that we brought her back all the right souvenirs from a trip to Disneyworld.

Briana’s parents (Lauren and Brian Loeding) have set up a research fund in her name through the MIB Agents. Michael will spend the next year raising funds to help other kids with this same diagnosis so that new treatments can be discovered, and a cure eventually reached.

MIB Agents is a 501c3 nationwide nonprofit organization that provides direct pediatric patient support, end of life missions, and the only annual osteosarcoma conference. It funds meaningful and impactful osteosarcoma research that is voted on by their scientific advisory committee, then by the community of patients and physicians that attend the MIB Agents FACTOR conference. MIB Agents across the country Make It Better for kids with osteosarcoma. MIB:

1. Pairs a child in treatment with a survivor of their same cancer including through MIB Game Agents.
2. Provides items of comfort and entertainment (iPads, iTunes cards, noise canceling headphones) for their treatment and recovery.
3. Arranges end-of-life experiences and/or comfort for the child when options for treatment have been exhausted and they are on home hospice care.
4. Raises funds and awareness to increase research for better treatments and outcomes for those with osteosarcoma, including through the first osteosarcoma conference FACTOR and through their annual $100,000 funding initiative, OutSmarting Osteosarcoma.

To involve Michael directly in this fundraiser, for every $2 donated, Michael is committing himself to take one shot at the soccer goal. We are kicking this event off one year before his Bar Mitzvah as we are hopeful that due to your generosity, it will take that long for him to complete all the shots!