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Icing Smiles Achieves Sweet Success: Celebrating 30,000 Cakes and One Remarkable Journey
Icing Smiles achieved a huge milestone, delivering our 30,000th cake! Join us on the journey of serving Maia, a spirited one year old battling Stuve-Wiedemann Syndrome
In the world of cake decorating and charitable endeavors, Icing Smiles stands out. Recently, we hit an incredible milestone, delivering our 30,000th cake to families in need. But behind this impressive number lies a heartwarming story that exemplifies the power of compassion and the joy that a simple cake can bring to face adversity.
Maia’s Journey
Meet Maia, a spirited one year old, who despite the challenges life threw at her, embodies resilience and strength. Born with Stuve-Wiedemann Syndrome (STWS) that presented unique medical complexities, Maia found herself under the care of Sarah, a compassionate nurse at Siani Hospital.
Months passed with Maia living in the hospital, her health becoming a daily concern for the medical staff. Among those deeply affected by Maia’s situation were Sarah and her husband, Josh. The couple felt a calling to do more for this special little girl.
The Decision to Foster
Driven by compassion and an overwhelming desire to make a difference in Maia’s life, Sarah and Josh decided to open their hearts and home to her. They became Maia’s foster parents, providing her not only with medical care but also with the love and stability she needed.
“She was living in a hospital, in a hospital bed every single day. She had great medical care, but no love… when we brought her home, she didn’t do anything. She just sort of laid there. She didn’t cry because she learned in the hospital, if I cry, no one’s coming. She didn’t laugh. She had no verbal skills… Six months later, she is crawling. She doesn’t stop talking. Her hands are open. It’s just amazing. It’s amazing what love can do, and she has nothing but that here. She’s a special little girl,” says Josh.
Maia’s First Birthday
The most significant milestone in Maia’s journey has been her first birthday. Celebrating this occasion was more than just a party; it symbolized the triumph of life and love over adversity. Most children with Maia’s diagnosis pass before reaching this milestone. Josh shared, “I don’t know how long this baby’s going to live. Everyone’s telling us she’s not going to make it. It could be tomorrow; it could be 20 years from now. We don’t know, but we want to give her the best life that we can.” Maia’s resilience has shone through, and her joy has become a testament to the transformative power of care and compassion.
Sherrie’s Sweets and the Mermaid Cake
To make Maia’s first birthday truly special, Sherrie of Sherrie’s Sweets, an Icing Smiles volunteer baker, stepped in. Known for her talent and generosity, Sherrie crafted a stunning ombre mermaid themed cake, not just as a centerpiece for the celebration but as a symbol of hope and happiness.
“Every time that I make an Icing Smiles cake, there’s a possibility I’m doing it for that last birthday. That thought crossed my mind… God, I hope this is not her last birthday. I hope that she gets to celebrate 2, 3, 4, 5. But if it is, I hope this touches her family’s soul, that they’ll remember this birthday forever. Every time that I put together any cake for Icing Smiles, that’s my whole mindset the entire time.”
Sherrie experimented with new skills and dyed rice paper to create an underwater effect and she created fondant embellishments to top off the beautiful ombre buttercream. All of this was complete with the perfect “Maia” nameplate.
Icing Smiles’ 30,000 Cakes
Icing Smiles is honored to serve Maia as our 30,000th cake! Maia’s story is just one among the 30,000 heartwarming tales of love and generosity that Icing Smiles has contributed to. As an organization, we have been delivering custom cakes to families around the country with critically ill children – bringing joy and creating lasting memories.
Watch the Full Story
To experience the full depth of Maia’s incredible journey and the impact of Icing Smiles, we invite you to watch the touching YouTube video interview with Sarah, Josh, and Sherrie. Prepare to be inspired and moved by the transformative power of love, compassion, and a simple slice of sweetness.
Icing Smiles’ remarkable achievement of 30,000 cakes is not just a number; it represents the countless smiles, the immeasurable joy, and the boundless hope that has been brought to families faced with critical illness of a child. Maia’s journey from a hospital bed to a loving home is a poignant reminder of the impact that small acts of kindness, like a beautifully crafted cake, can have on someone’s life. Join us in celebrating Icing Smiles’ sweet success and the extraordinary stories of resilience and compassion that continue to unfold.
