08/24/2025
I never imagined two babies waiting for surgery would teach me what real courage looks like. I’m Jordanna, and this is my daughter Mackenzie, a sweet little blonde with a smile that shines through every challenge. At just 3½ months old, she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer. While others played, she faced seven rounds of chemotherapy. Today, she’s nearly one year free of cancer—something we once thought was impossible. This morning at UCSF, while waiting for surgery, Mackenzie met Akira, a two-year-old with the same diagnosis. Without words, they reached out, held hands, and shared gentle laughter in the quiet hospital room. For a moment, illness disappeared—just two kids living and enjoying the moment. This meeting reminded me healing is …