Kayleigh’s Army: Kayleigh the Mighty Mito Warrior

02/07/2026

The past 4-5 months has been extremely hard for Kayleigh. Medically she has really struggled a lot!
But Thanks to A Kid Again we got the opportunity to take a break from the “hard” and just be a Kid. Let loose, have fun, dance, make crafts, eat some yummy treats, and make memories together.

01/29/2026

This past week we experienced a Historical Snowfall. The majority of the Midwest and Eastern states saw record level snowfall.
The cold temperatures in the below zero range made it hard for the kids to get out and play, but they did it.
For a whopping 5 minutes before retreating back inside.

01/19/2026

01/19/2026

🐾💚Some Really Big things are happening🐾💚
Yesterday we submitted all the necessary Forms, Videos and Completed the match course for Kayleigh’s Service Dog.
We are gettingso close folks
So so close!!

01/07/2026

This is super cool to see such an awesome person working for such an awesome organization.
Two worlds just collided in the coolest way

A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio is excited to welcome Tej Joshi as our new Director of Development and Engagement!

Many in the Miami Valley may recognize Tej from Dayton 24/7’s Good Day Dayton, where he spent four years sharing stories about the people and organizations that make our community so special. One of the very first nonprofits he ever featured on the show was A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio making this a truly meaningful full-circle moment.

Tej brings a strong passion for storytelling, community engagement, and nonprofit leadership. He has volunteered and served with organizations including Waste-Free Dayton, Girls on the Run of Dayton, Gem City Groundlings, and The International Peace Museum.

We’re thrilled to have Tej on board as he helps expand awareness of our mission and deepen our impact for children and families facing life-threatening illnesses.

Interested in partnerships, events, or supporting our mission? You can reach Tej at josh*tej@childrensdayton.org.

Please join us in giving Tej a warm welcome!

12/25/2025

🌟Merry Christmas 🌟

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

12/10/2025

Thank You Casey Cares for Kayleigh’s Birthday gift. She absolutely loves this blanket.
It’s so incredibly soft and warm.
With all Kayleigh’s struggles with fatigue recently it was the absolute perfect gift!

12/08/2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEIGH🌸
What if I asked you to close your eyes and envision a warrior, someone who’s the epitome of strength, tenacity, bravery, and courage. What do you see??
You know what I see?? I see KAYLEIGH!!
A 5 pounds 10 ounces baby, hooked to tubes, IV’s and monitors laying in her NICU Bed! She is my warrior! And...
TODAY IS MY WARRIORS BIRTHDAY!!
Kayleigh, you entered this world early and your Journey thus far has not been easy but you have meet every single challenge and obstacle with a level of strength and determination that I envy.
You are our sweet, loving, tenacious, sometimes moody and very stubborn little girls. We are beyond blessed that God choose us to be your Mommy and Daddy.
Kayleigh I’m not sure how it happened but it seems like Just yesterday we were bringing you home for this first time and now today you turn 11! 11 how the heck foes this happen so quickly???
Time really needs to slow down.
Happy Birthday🎂 Mommy, Daddy and your sisters love you more than you’ll ever know!
📸Enjoy some of my favorite Kayleigh moments frozen in time🩷

11/14/2025

Research means everything to us.
Our hope lies in research outcomes and discoveries.

The Winslow Research Pavilion will enhance our efforts to connect scientists and clinicians, which enables faster translation of discoveries from the lab to directly impacting patients.

11/14/2025

Things are getting real my friends.
We just submitted our match forms fo Kayleigh’s Service Dog.
We’re down to 6 months give or take.

11/01/2025

Happy Halloween

10/27/2025

This week Kayleigh enjoyed the A Kid Again Birthday Bash at Boonshoft Museum. Trunk-or Treat at Miamisburg Christian Church and Valor Martial Arts and today we carved our Jack-o-lanterns.
Fun fun fun! We sure do love fall 🎃 👻 🍁