09/22/2026
I've had some people ask, who is Mae? What's this fundraiser all about? Where does the money go?
🩷 Mae ("Little Bird") is the 1-year-old daughter of Michael and Mackenzie Buzzard of Altamont. The day after her first birthday she was diagnosed with Leigh syndrome. Leigh Syndrome is a rare, progressive disease that affects the brain and can eventually take away a child’s ability to walk, talk, and eat. Currently, there is no cure.
"Mae is a joyful, determined little girl with a smile that lights up every room she enters. She loves being outside, exploring the world around her, and spending time with the people who love her most. Her sweet personality, strength, and resilience have inspired everyone lucky enough to know her.
The day after Mae’s first birthday, our lives changed when she was diagnosed with SURF1 Leigh syndrome, a rare and fatal mitochondrial disease caused by a mutation in her SURF1 gene. While this diagnosis brought many challenges and uncertainties, it has never defined Mae. She continues to be the happy, loving little girl we have always known.
Mae’s journey has included hospital stays, therapies, medical procedures, and learning to navigate life with complex medical needs, including a feeding tube. Through every challenge, Mae continues to amaze us with her strength and determination.
But today, there is a reason for hope. For the first time, a groundbreaking gene therapy for children with SURF1 Leigh syndrome is advancing toward human clinical trials. This treatment has already been developed and is moving through toxicology studies — one of the final steps before a clinical trial can begin.
If successful, this could become the first gene therapy for mitochondrial disease and could change the future for Mae and countless other children and families affected by mitochondrial disorders.
If funding is secured, a clinical trial could begin as early as 2027. A single injection could have the potential to change lives forever.
We are fighting for Mae’s future and for every child waiting for a treatment. Thank you for standing with Mae, sharing her story, and helping us fund the hope of a cure."
🩷 This month, Cure Mito is matching ALL donations for the month of September!
🩷 Help support Little Bird! 🐦
🩷 Sparks and Bloom Farm is hosting a fundraiser drawing
🩷 100 spots • $15 each • 4 winners chosen
🩷100% of all money raised is donated to Mae's fight!
🩷 Secure your spot through Venmo
🩷 Comment "I'm in!" below to secure your spot(s)!
🎁 EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
🍪 1 Dozen Gourmet Cookies
• 4 Little Bird's Nest Cookies 🪺
• 4 Maple Walnut Cookies 🍁
• 4 Salted Caramel Apple Cookies 🍎
🍥 1 Four-Pack of Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Winner chooses their flavor:
☕ Espresso Mocha
🍁 Maple Pecan
🍯 1 Six-Ounce Jar of Honey
Honey from our very own farm! 🐝
💐 1 Make-Your-Own Bouquet Experience
Come create your own beautiful bouquet using flowers from our farm! 🌻
🐮 A Visit With Our Baby Highland Calf!
Come out to the farm and spend some time petting our sweet baby Highland calf!
📅 FARM EXPERIENCE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
The bouquet-making experience and calf visit will take place on Sunday, October 11 (subject to change depending on weather). Details and scheduling will be coordinated with the winners.
🌟 SPOTS SECURED 🌟
1. Haven Schoonover
2. Haven Schoonover
3. Lauren Fifer
4. Lauren Fifer
5. Alex Simcox
6. Miranda Bailey
7. Madason Savage
8. Cheyenne Niebrugge
8. Cheyenne Niebrugge
9. Lauren Ohnesorge
10. Lauren Ohnesorge
11. Abby Line
12. Layne Arnold
13. Michaela Frey
14. Michaela Frey
15. Sarah Arend
16. Sarah Arend
17. Natalie Tabbert
18. Jolleen Westendorf
19. Crystal Risner
20. Gloria Hissong-Baker
21. Tina Rozene
22. Tina Rozene
23. Christine Booker
24. Danielle Finn
25. Theresa Eastep
26. Cheryl Heuerman
27. Jaden Moonaw
28. Jaden Moonaw
29. Jaden Moonaw
30. Jaden Moonaw
31. Jaden Moonaw
32. Jaden Moonaw
33. Jaden Moonaw
34. Marsha Young
35. Marsha Young
36. Marsha Young
37. Marsha Young
38. Marsha Young
39. Marsha Young
40. Marsha Young
41. Brooke Flowers
