Hoedown for Hope 2025

In 2025, we hosted something that had lived in my heart for a long time — the very first Hoedown for Hope.

As Simon’s mom and the founder of CureMPS, I spend a lot of my days thinking about research, advocacy, and the realities of a rare diagnosis. But the Hoedown wasn’t just about raising funds. It was about raising each other.

And wow — did our community show up.

More than 400 friends, families, sponsors, and supporters gathered at the fairgrounds for a night that felt equal parts country concert, family reunion, and grassroots movement. There was live music that had kids and grandparents line dancing side by side. There were food trucks, cold drinks, face painting, lawn games, and even a mechanical bull that may or may not have revealed some hidden talents (and sore muscles the next morning).

What struck me most wasn’t just the energy — it was the connection. I watched families who had never met before swapping stories over picnic tables. I saw teenagers helping younger kids master their lasso skills. I watched volunteers work tirelessly, not because they had to, but because they believed in what we’re building. There was this shared understanding in the air: we are in this together.

Living with a rare disease can feel isolating. But that night felt like the opposite of isolation. It felt like belonging.

Together, we raised $15,000 for CureMPS — funds that will directly support research and bring us closer to better treatments for children like Simon. But the dollars, as important as they are, only tell part of the story. What we truly built was momentum. We built awareness. We built relationships. We built hope.

The Hoedown for Hope reminded me that community is powerful medicine. When people gather with purpose — and a little bit of country flair — incredible things happen.

As I looked around that evening, boots dusty and heart full, I felt something stronger than fear or uncertainty. I felt possibility.

And this is just the beginning.