Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Beatty.
Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Megan Beatty and I am a warriors mom. In May of 2018, my daughter Haley was diagnosed with a brain tumor at six years old. After removing the brain tumor, we discovered it was a cancer called medulloblastoma. After recovering from the major surgery she needed six weeks of radiation and nine rounds of chemotherapy.
The journey was hard. There were a lot of traumatic first. First time she vomited. First time she lost a chunk of hair. First time she needed a blood transfusion. And then there was the first time she got the feeding tube. It was right before her 7th birthday. I was numb. Though it was needed and I later was very thankful for the feeding tube, It was something else for her to go through. She didn’t like feeling of the tube in the back of her throat. She was depressed. She didn’t talk and when she did, the sound of her voice was heartbreaking. In the moment, I was just trying to make the next step and my main focus was just being her strength. It was hard to focus on housework let alone plan a birthday party. A group of strangers came in and threw Haley this birthday party that none of us will ever forget. There were horses, Mr and Mrs Claus, The Grinch, a face painter, a clown, an ice sculpture, photographers, a videographer, tons of food, a beautiful cake and so much more. But nothing beat the smile on my daughter’s face. Nothing. I remember watching her smile and looking around the room at this group of strangers who were working so hard to put that smile on her face and thinking “who are these people?” I really felt like they were angels on earth. Real life superheroes. It was in that moment that I knew I wanted to do the exact same when she beat this beast. She’s been in remission for close to two years and since then, I’ve teamed up with those “strangers” who are not strangers anymore and we have been throwing the most epic birthday parties for kids battling cancer. I get to help bring that same smile to a warrior’s face and it is so fulfilling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say the biggest struggle would be covid. There’s so much more we could do if covid didn’t exist but with that being said, we haven’t let covid hold us back! We have thrown some pretty amazing and memorable parades.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of the people who come together from all over the place just to show their love and support to the kids battling cancer and their families. Without them, Operation Heroes Unite would not be what it is today. I give all the credit to my “strangers” and to the people, businesses and foundations who continue to support what we do.
Operation Heroes Unite is a nonprofit that specializes in birthday parties for kids battling cancer. For them, it’s not just a birthday, it’s a day they can look back and remember when they got to step away from the fight and be a kid for the day. And for the families, they get to feel the love and support and truly understand that they are not alone.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being a cancer mom, I really connect with these families. Before childhood cancer unwelcomely busted through our door, I was not really aware of it. Now it’s a whole world I live in. It’s everywhere and this whole world is my family. We all hold a special bond that connects us for life. I know what these families are going through so I respect their space and their time when I plan their parties.
Contact Info:
- Email: operationheroesunite@gmail.com
