Laura Weiner
Founder
Laura’s son, Thomas, has suffered from Crohn’s in childhood and throughout his adult years. Laura’s friends donated money for research, and from that, A Mother’s Wish was born! Thanks to friends and family. AMW is dedicated to holding fundraisers: To keep raising the money needed to help Crohn’s sufferers’ families with co-pays and medications not covered by health insurance, and for continuing research.
Deirdre Kelly
President
Deirdre’s son was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 11. Understanding firsthand the complexities and daily challenges associated with those caring for & struggling with Crohn’s disease in navigating the new normal physically & emotionally, Deirdre became involved with AMW as an opportunity to help support others with the disease (and their caregivers), help raise funds for research to find a cure & discover safer and more effective treatments so living with this chronic condition can become a thing of the past.
Rachelle Wilson
Board Member-Special Events
Rachelle met Laura Weiner in 2012, and wanted to become involved in A Mother’s Wish because she has a child who has Crohns and has seen the pain they have gone through, how terrible this disease is, and has witnessed the struggle. Rachelle wanted to help raise money to continue doing research and looking for the cure for her daughter, Laura’s son and all the others suffering silently with Crohn’s disease.
Stephanie Riley
Board Member-Communications
I was officially diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 24 after years of dealing with “stomach issues” and didn’t know anything then about IBD. My daughter Phoebe was diagnosed with IBD in August of 2017, she was 14. At that time I already knew Nichcole and her daughter and about A Mother’s Wish and immediately wanted to get involved with them. This group has offered exactly the kind of support to me, Phoebe and our family that has helped us tread through Phoebe’s continuous struggles. I need to know that I am doing everything I can to help fund research and support other families who are struggling with the awful disease that has had such an impact on our lives.
Nichcole Borkowski
Board Member-Treasurer
Nichcole’s daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the very young age of 7. After that devastating news, Nichcole was looking for some guidance and support to help get through this very difficult time. She found that support and guidance with AMW, plus the most amazing friendships. She knew she needed to be apart of this group. Nichcole is committed to raising money for research and will not stop fighting until we have a cure.
Heather Wickersham
Board Member-Director of Special Events
Heather’s son, Carter, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in January 2016 when he was just five years old. She was introduced to Nichcole shortly following his diagnosis through her sister-in-law. Nichcole immediately reached out and offered immense support. It is through Nichcole that Heather met Rachelle, and the many other incredible women who make up A Mother’s Wish Foundation. Heather immediately knew that she wanted to be a part of AMW. She wanted to have the opportunity to support other families in the way that the women at AMW supported her. Heather’s wish is to share Carter’s story of courage, laughter and hope to other families living with this incurable disease.
Sabrina Marsilio
Board Member-Director of Out Reach
Sabrina’s daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s at the age of 8. Coincidentally, Sabrina was coaching at Metamorfit, Heather and Jeff Wickersham’s gym and she was already familiar with Carter’s story. Heather, being a huge resource for Sabrina, led her to AMW. She is committed to helping raise awareness and funds to find a cure for those living with IBD, but also to help her daughter understand that she isn’t alone.
Jeannette Leighton
Board Member
Jeannette became involved with A Mother’s Wish to show her support for her dear friend, Laura Weiner. Although not personally impacted by the disease, her former business partner and good friend almost died from complications from Crohn’s. Jeannette brings her accounting and tax skills to this dynamic group committed to providing assistance and education to those in the local community.
Julie Hill
Board Member-Director of Marketing
Julie Macon Hill has been a professional graphic designer since 1984. In 2009, Laura Weiner asked Julie if she wouldn’t mind helping AMW with some simple graphics for their fundraiser. Each year Julie got more involved graphically and it became infectious to want to help even more. Today, Julie is committed to work with AMW to raise awareness and funds for research to hopefully some day soon find a cure for people suffering with IBD.
Lauren Suhre
Board Member-Director of Communications
Lauren supported Laura and Thomas since the inception of A Mother’s Wish.
Along with her husband, Neil, Lauren helped Laura, her family and friends, with fundraising events, as it was very difficult to watch Thomas, who we have known from birth, to deal with Crohn’s since his diagnosis at 12 years old. We all agonized with how to best serve Thomas as well as others who needed more support and answers to this devastating disease. Although I was involved for years, it was in 2018 when I officially joined the Board at Laura’s request. The need for better medicines and research, AMW must continually build a team of people to raise funds to further the dream of finding a cure.
Stephanie Parker
Board Member
Stephanie Parker came to AMW after hearing about us on Preston’s WMMR talk show. She came to a few events and decided to do what she could to help us. She started her journey with us by putting a fundraiser together with her co-workers. She then wanted to get more involved and has been working with us to help her son Hayden’s future with his Crohn’s disease. Her firm Keller Williams of Blue Bell PA nominated AMW to support her son Hayden!!!
Hayden’s story:
My name is Stephanie Parker, I am an agent at the KW Blue Bell office. I am nominating a charity that I am directly involved with called “A Mother’s Wish”. When my son, Hayden, was 15 he started losing a considerable amount of weight. He was admitted into CHOP and 7 days later he was diagnosed with an Autoimmune disease called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease has no cure. It is a disease where your intestinal system attacks itself making it difficult to absorb nutrients or calories causing significant medical problems and growth stunts. Many children are placed on steroids as a permanent medical plan, however long-term steroids cause significant internal damage that sometimes just sneezing can fracture a rib. Long term use of steroids can make bones very brittle. When steroids don’t work, as in my son’s case, it moves to a soft chemotherapy drug (Infusions) that is given every few weeks in a hospital. The side effects of infusions can be cancer. After five years of infusions my son was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. He was given chemotherapy however now we need a new path to treat the Crohn’s disease. The drugs that treat the disease will bring on many more health issues causing more life-threatening battles. Each child has their own painful journey to face. These children are spending their childhood enduring constant procedures, constant doctor and emergency room visits while never feeling well. A Mother’s Wish is committed to finding a cure. They have teamed up with University of Penn and established an Endowment to fund research for many years to come until they find a cure!! A Mother’s Wish also set up a scholarship to send the children for a weeklong fun filled adventure at Camp Oasis where kids with Crohn’s can be kids! They also send out packages for the newly diagnosed when they register on the website. The support group is strong. Almost every mother on this board has a child with Crohn’s or is very good friends with one of the AMW moms.
Thank you,
Stephanie Parker
Keller Williams, Blue Bell
Sarah Hedley
Director of Social Media and communications
Sarah graduated from Widener University in 2021 and was the president of the sororities and responsible to put on special events and social media. She has been a wealth of information to AMW as she has all the tools the world is using now to communicate!