The Prayers from Maria Foundation

What can you say about a 7-year-old girl who never stopped praying for others while battling deadly brain cancer? That she inspired a MOVEMENT. Maria McNamara was enjoying life, taking dance lessons and playing with her brothers, when she was suddenly diagnosed with one of the deadliest and least understood childhood brain tumors. Throughout her illness she prayed for the new friends she made who were fighting like she was. Those prayers continued until her own battle ended a year later at the tender age of seven. Maria’s selfless, simple prayers ignited a Movement. Those prayers of hope live on today through the Prayers From Maria Foundation.

The Prayers from Maria Foundation is a foundation built out of love and compassion for children who suffer, and have died, from the deadliest brain tumors. Our mission is to honor childhood cancer patients with the attention they deserve by reversing the tragic lack of funding and raising awareness to advance the most meaningful children’s brain cancer research.

You may know us for our sunflower field. Maria’s Field of Hope, located in Avon, serves as a symbol of hope for the courageous children now battling cancer, and to celebrate the lives of those we have lost. Maria’s Field of Hope is just one of the many ways we raise awareness about childhood cancer. Prayers from Maria has been able to make a significant impact by funding numerous promising research studies across the United States.

Maria’s prayers for children battling cancer inspired a Movement. You can help us grow it.

This season of giving offers opportunities for you to join The Movement:

• Purchase holiday gifts at Maria’s Christmas Shop, located behind our offices at 20226 Detroit Ave. in Rocky River. Also, for your convenience, find our items for purchase at Petitti Garden Centers’ nine area locations.

• Contribute to our Crowdrise campaign which kicks off on Giving Tuesday, November 26. Last year’s campaign produced an $80k research grant!

• Join us on Dec 16 when we “Pack the Q for a Cure” for the Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Learn more at: PrayersFromMaria.org