My Nonprofit Reviews

Our daughter Ciera was 18 months old when we rushed her to the local emergency room. Lab results demonstrated Ciera was in critical condition in need of blood. Her little body had 5 units of blood; she should have had 12 units. This hospital does not give blood to children under the age of 18, as it is not a children’s hospital. Policy mandates all children in critical condition must be flown to the nearest Children’s Hospital. The local hospital owned one helicopter which was in use. Ciera went on a waiting list; ETA four hours. Doctors would not discharge Ciera and parents were not allowed to remove the child from the hospital. It took 5 1/2 hours to transport Ciera to the nearest Children’s Hospital. Had her blood loss been due to an accident (automobile, boat, bike) she certainly would have died while waiting. Unfortunately this occurs more than anyone likes to realize. Ciera’s parents recognized this detrimental gap in policy, care, humanity, and vowed to create change. These events lead to founding our nonprofit, The Norona Effect so that no other family would find themselves in this helpless position. The Norona Effect advocates, fundraises, educates and hosts special events for children’s health and wellness in Mohave and LaPaz County, Arizona. To date we have provided financial help to more than 50 families who are forced to travel for treatment of a sick, disabled, or critically injured child. We hold support services for parents and inclusive children’s events. We are proud to serve our community.

Our daughter Ciera was diagnosed with a rare type of Leukemia in 2014 at 18 months old. She remained hospitalized for 11 months and faced other health issues while battling cancer. She contracted pneumonia three times. She experienced double pneumothorax, emergency surgery, intubation and induced coma while on life support. Upon hospital release, (2 1/2 yr old) Ciera was place on homebound isolation for one year. Still incurring several hospitalizations for chemo, radiation, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirates, and nadar/neutropenia. Relatively out of the woods by age 4 1/2, Ciera’s family had never been on a true ‘family vacation.’ A social worker recommended the Norona family apply to Camp Sunshine. They flew us from Arizona to Maine and handled transfers to and from the camp site. Five glorious days our family of four spent together. Beyond any expectation Camp Sunshine provided us EXACTLY what we needed: time to recover, time to reconnect, time to replace fear with hope. And all under the capable hands of doctors on staff to help in a moments notice. Priceless is that piece of mind. Ever grateful for the experience, with love, The Norona’s