Meet Brianna: 2017 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day Hero

Brianna was born a normal healthy baby. At the age of 6 she was diagnosed with scleroderma, a rare disease that usually affects women between 30 and 50 years old resulting in the chronic hardening of skin and connective tissues. As time passed, the doctors diagnosed her with several other life-changing autoimmune diseases.

Her illnesses brought her several challenges, keeping her homebound from attending school, hanging out with her friends and going to the park. Somehow she has been able to keep her faith and keep fighting. Now 12 years old, Brianna brings joy to everyone she meets with her beautiful smile, singing and jokes.

During her extended stays at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Brianna has built special relationships with her doctors and hospital staff who encourage her to keep fighting on her worse days. Described as a “true fashionista,” Briana loves to go shopping for herself and siblings in her spare time ensure  that everyone is current with the latest fashion. Always the inquisitive one Brianna loves school and is planning to go into research to find a cure for cancer when she grows up.

Help us welcome Brianna to Washington, D.C.!

Check out this video about Brianna :