HEROESSurvivors

Who: Paxtyn Steckler

What: Max’s Mission

Why: Max’s Mission is a program meant to support grieving families who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirths, or infant loss. The program is named after a child named Maximilian Pio, whose parents Paxtyn and Zach Steckler lost him shortly after his birth. “We went into the first ultrasound to confirm everything, and they told us that something was very wrong with our baby,” says Paxtyn. “We got referred to a specialist, and it was confirmed that our baby had anencephaly… We were given a few different options, and we just chose to protect him and love him while he was here with us until God decided to take him home. We made it to 36 weeks until my water broke. We got rushed into the hospital, into surgery right away, and then my oldest brother was able to be there with us to baptize him and confirm him before he died.”

After a few months, Paxtyn’s sister-in-law Sam approached her and Zach with the idea of supporting other couples going through similar trauma. “Zach and I had a ton of support, whereas most families don’t have that,” describes Paxtyn. “We wanted to help those families, not just with the comfort aspect but also gathering hard names and numbers of places to call after so they don’t have to sit on a computer and Google those things when they just experienced the worst thing of their life.” From there, Max’s Mission was born.

Max’s Mission distributes boxes throughout the state through the Catholic Diocese of Bismarck, although the boxes are for anyone in need of one. Boxes come with a folder of information like funeral homes, cemeteries, and other resources, as well as items like a journal and candle. Boxes are usually distributed to grieving couples by their family or friends. “It’s become this little community of people who know that this exists, and they share that with other people,” describes Paxtyn. It is encouraged to also leave a meal or gift card with the box to personalize the box as well as provide additional support. “We just wanted to let parents know they’re still parents,” says Paxtyn. “Just because your baby is not here doesn’t mean that you’re no longer parents. Your kid still matters, and they’re always going to be with you, and you can honor them in so many ways.” bismarckdiocese.com/maxsmission

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Survivors

Who: Justin Schlosser

What: Make-A-Wish

Why: Justin Schlosser was diagnosed with cancer at the age of six. Now 38, Justin does not remember everything from that time, but he does remember missing lots of school for radiation, chemotherapy, surgeries and medical tests and the feeling of dejection that came with that. In the midst of this, Make-A-Wish reached out to Justin about receiving a wish. As many kids do, Justin chose to visit Disney World. “I have many memories of going to Sea World, going to see Mickey and all the magical things that are in Disney World. I was obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I got to meet them on my wish trip which was very special,” recalls Justin. The trip gave Justin hope and courage to face the remainder of his treatment, and he has been cancer-free since.

After college Justin realized he wanted to do something to give back to the organization that had given him so much hope. “Part of Make-A-Wish is to give hope, strength and joy to people, and that’s what I felt like it gave me,” says Justin. “That’s why I give back and help Make-A-Wish now because they gave me what I needed when I needed it most in my life.” Justin has volunteered at Make-A-Wish’s annual fundraising gala for several years now, doing what he can to support Make-A-Wish’s mission: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. “I fully support that mission,” says Justin. “They helped me through my dark times, and I want to give that back to others as well.”

Justin’s whole family and extended family are involved with Make-A-Wish as well, volunteering their time and donating what they can to help this cause that so greatly impacted someone they love and care for. Justin’s sister was even inspired to become a doctor after witnessing what Jason went through. “It transformed her life as well,” he says.

Despite all the hardships Justin has encountered, he lives life looking on the bright side. “In life I always try to keep a positive attitude,” says Justin. “It helps you get through the hard times.” wish.org/northdakota

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