It was a year ago today that my friend Brook and her husband Jake lost their sweet baby girl Carynne to Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a mere month after she was diagnosed. She was six months old. The next day, Carynne’s identical twin sister Sydney lost her battle with the disease.

A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of this family. Brook is one of the bravest women I know, and I’m looking forward to meeting her and Jake in person in a few weeks when they come to New Orleans. I can’t wait to give her a big hug in person.

SMA is the #1 genetic killer of young children, and it needs to be stopped. Please go sign the Petition to End SMA so a cure can be found before more babies are lost.