2020 YEAR IN REVIEW
About 3,400
children are diagnosed with a CNS tumor each year
4%
of federal research money is dedicated to pediatric cancer.
IN 20 YEARS,
The FDA has approved only two drugs used for childhood cancer
She is part of our #UnicornArmy
THIS ➡︎
IS SOPHIA
-IN-
are diagnosed with pediatric cancer.
It's not rare.
1 285
"...Liv Like A Unicorn
has played a huge role in our lives."
"...We are so
very thankful
for Liv Like A Unicorn, and so happy they are with us on this journey!"
- Sophia's Mom
So what have we done about it?
$130,000
donated to DIPG research!
Donated to
Dr. Katherine Warren:
$100,000
Donated to
Dr. Nicholas Vitanza:
$30,000
Sent to families in need of financial assistance
$5,000
100+
Unicorn Boxes sent to children in treatment
January
We officially launched the
Liv like a Unicorn Foundation in honor of our forever unicorn Olivia “Liv” Lipnicky. We looked on as people used our kindness cards to spread kindness in memory of our little girl.
February
Great Press!
ABC news featured our foundation
~
Jersey Freeze created a special shake for Liv’s 9th birthday
~
Freehold Learning Center launched a “Uni-coins for Kindness" campaign
March
We were featured on NJ 101.5 and the NJ Transcript.
We collected items for Hackensack hospital, benefiting children who are currently undergoing treatment.
April
With everyone home, we had fun raising money through our Unicorn Dance Challenge
Police Patches for Jaxson!
It all started with a simple request: police patches for a little boy named Jaxson. Jaxson was diagnosed with ATRT brain cancer right after his first birthday, and went into remission after 1 1⁄2 years of treatment. In February of this year, a routine MRI showed the cancer had returned. Liv like a Unicorn jumped on board to put a smile on this littler warrior’s face. One simple Facebook post requesting patches was shared 759 times! Our foundation was able to deliver hundreds of patches from all over the country, as well as some from other countries. Thanks to all of your support, the family also received gift baskets for Jaxson’s big brothers, meal vouchers, gift cards, and a check for $2,000 to help cover the family’s ongoing expenses. Thank you for showing Jaxson and his family that #noonefightsalone!
May
#GoGrayInMay!
We went gray in May to honor our heroes and angels who continue to inspire us each and every day.
July
#RunLikeAUnicorn
225 of us ran like unicorns during in the incredible July heat and raised
$7,200
for pediatric brain tumor research!
August
We cooled off with sweet treats to fund pediatric brain tumor research, thanks to Curly’s Ice Cream we raised
$1,500!
2nd Annual Clothing Drive!
On June 13th we hosted our 2nd annual clothing drive. Because of the support of friends, families, and neighbors we were able to fill 6 trucks! This event began in 2019 with Liv’s determination to make a difference in the landscape of pediatric brain tumors, even when she was fighting her own battle. Between clothing donations and merchandise sales we raised over $10,000! We look forward to continuing this event in the coming years, so that we can always remember what Liv started.
YOUR SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH!
During a global pandemic, we achieved more than we ever thought we would. You have made Liv's dream to #BeTheGood come true.
LIV'S NURSES WITH THEIR NEW LIV LIKE A UNICORN SHIRTS
September
$40,000!
Our 2nd official donation to DIPG research went to
Dr. Warren!
#GoGoldInSeptember
Garden flags, candles, and cheerleaders went Gold for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month
October
Boo! Our Halloween Unicorn Boxes kicked off the festivities so our kids in treatment could celebrate Halloween safely at home!
~
Water Brook Florist raised $900
to help fund our initiatives.
November
Remembering Liv,
on her 1st #angelversary.
In her honor, our Facebook fundraiser brought in
$23,000!
~
Businesses near and far turned into Santas' Workshop to collect toys for our annual toy drive.
December
$25,000!
$30,000!
We helped Santa by delivering car loads of toys and supplies to six different institutions. 20 Holiday Unicorn Boxes were sent to kick off the holiday season.
Thanks to all our 2020 business partners!
Art Paper Scissors • Brighter Days Company • Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty • Curly's Ice Cream • Freedom Electrical • Innovation Electrical & Mechanical • Jersey Freeze • Katie's Cottage Barn • Love Pop • The MCJ Amelior Foundation • Monmouth Collision • NJ Premier All-Star Cheer Training Center • Parties by Porcelli • PNC Bank • Waterbrook Garden Center
As the sun sets on 2020...
And we bring to a close our first official year of Liv like a Unicorn, I am blown away by how far we have come. This foundation was started by an amazing 8 year old that knew kids diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors deserved better. They deserved a chance to live. We carried her mission on, through unimaginable pain and grief, and we fought to make a difference. Thanks to your support, we were able to fund vital research that is desperately needed to find better treatments. Financial assistance was provided to families so they could concentrate on their children, not their bills. We witnessed Liv’s friends and classmates honoring her by raising money through bracelet and lemonade stands while local business who were affected by the pandemic still jumped on board to #bethegood and help. If this year has taught us anything, it is that even in the darkest times, there is still light to be seen. I thank you all for lighting our way and look forward to continuing our work in 2021.
- Emma, Liv's Mom