Julia's Wings Foundation

The Julia’s Wings Foundation (www.juliaswings.org) was established in 2013 by Mike, Heather and Alyssa Malsin. In January 2012, their beloved daughter Julia, and big sister to Alyssa, passed away after a year long battle against Aplastic Anemia, which is a rare bone marrow failure disease. Over the course of the year, Julia was hospitalized numerous times and some stays were as long as 6 to 8 weeks. She received a bone marrow transplant in October of 2011, but passed away 3 months later. Heather stopped working to care for Julia and the medical and travel expenses incurred during that time were massive. After Julia passed away, the Malsins decided to dedicate the rest of their lives to making a difference with this horrible disease. It is in Julia’s honor, that they started a foundation in her name.

The Julia’s Wings Foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that provides financial assistance to families of children with life threatening hematological diseases and to medical professionals for healthcare research. The foundation provides financial support to these families to cover costs of travel, lodging, and other living expenses for qualified participants. In addition, Julia’s Wings Foundation seeks to promote the advancement of research for aplastic anemia through contributions to organizations and individuals dedicated to this endeavor.

Bone marrow failure diseases including aplastic anemia (AA), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) occur when the stem cells inside the bone marrow stop making enough healthy cells. These life threatening diseases can strike any person, of any age, gender or race, anywhere in the world. Each day 50 plus people are diagnosed with bone marrow disease in the United States alone. Most have never heard of their disease. All are searching for answers, support and hope.

In the Malsin's own words:

"Julia endured more pain on a weekly basis and unspeakable pain over the course of the year than most will in a lifetime. She received weekly red blood cell and platelet transfusions, suffered numerous bacterial and viral infections including a life threatening bilateral necrotizing fasciitis in her legs which resulted in over 250 stitches after numerous surgeries to remove the infection.  Julia was hospitalized countless times during the course of her illness.

The thought of not having someone always by Julia's side was as terrifying as going through this ordeal.  Our family was extremely blessed that our community rallied behind us, keeping us afloat with the astronomical medical and travel expenses.  But not all families are as lucky.  It is in Julia’s honor, that we started the Julia’s Wings Foundation (‘JWF’), to provide financial assistance to families of children with life threatening hematological diseases and to medical professionals for healthcare research. Our hope is that with continued research and funding, one child’s life may be saved and one mother, father, sister, and family will not have to endure the pain and suffering that Aplastic Anemia brought into our lives.

As we held Julia in her final moments, we promised her we would continue the fight against the disease that cut her life short and tore our family apart. We remain committed to making a difference in the lives of others.

We are just following in Julia’s footsteps..."

Our foundation's mantra is a quote from Gandhi "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  We ask all of you, to join us in this mission.  With everyone's support, WE CAN and WILL make a significant impact in people's lives.  All donations will go directly towards assisting families, currently fighting this disease and towards much needed research.