Join the celebration of our national launch of the “Sunflower Field Of Celebrations” for children with special needs and disabilities, and their families. Our nonprofit creates unforgettable celebrations, delivered straight to the family’s doorstep for a ready-to-go celebration with friends, family, and nonprofit celebrators!
Family Served in 3 Years
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Real Stories, Real Impact
Born from deeply personal family experiences, Laila’s Gift® was created in 2022 with a mission to uplift and empower families navigating the joys and challenges of raising children with special needs. Since then, we’ve touched the lives of more than 1,500 families—supporting not only the children, but also their siblings and caregivers—helping them thrive together as a stronger, more connected community.
On September 5, 2014, twin sisters Laila and Lana were born at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. While Lana was healthy, Laila was diagnosed with Jacobsen Syndrome, a rare condition affecting fewer than 100 children worldwide at the time. With so many children not expected to live past their second birthday, every milestone became a cherished victory for her family.
That spirit of celebration grew into Laila’s Gift, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring life’s precious moments while supporting the families who make them possible. Inspired by her sister, Lana created Zigglebee® — the joyful mascot that reflects the organization’s mission of spreading connection, kindness, and joy.
What began with free birthday and milestone celebrations has grown into nationwide programs offering resources, support, and encouragement for children with medical complexities, their caregivers, and siblings.
Today, Laila’s Gift continues to uplift “sunflower families” everywhere. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations directly fuel this mission and are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Our Sunflower Families share why you should be part of the celebration.
Laila’s Gift has quickly emerged as a vital voice for the special needs and disability community, providing essential support for families navigating the unique challenges they face.
What makes Laila’s Gift® unique is that it was founded by parents with a deeply personal connection to the mission—Laila herself lives with a rare syndrome. This lived experience fuels our commitment to celebrate all children with special needs and disabilities, creating an inclusive environment that goes beyond organizations focused on a single condition.
Because it is unlikely that Laila will ever find a large network devoted solely to her syndrome, Laila’s Gift is building a welcoming community where families like hers can find solidarity, encouragement, and connection regardless of diagnosis.
Our symbol, the sunflower, reflects this vision: each small seed nurtured with care grows into a vibrant blossom, reminding us that every child deserves the chance to thrive. Just as a field of sunflowers flourishes together in all its diversity, so too can families flourish within an inclusive community.
We are proud to stand as the only organization of our kind in the nation.
We provide personalized birthday experiences for children with rare and complex medical needs.
Offering guidance, emotional support, and connections to help families navigate the challenges of caring.
Hosting accessible and inclusive events that create safe spaces for families to bond, celebrate, and feel seen.
Raising public awareness and fostering understanding of the complexities of family caregiving journey, while also actively participating in and leading legislative efforts to improve policies that better support families and caregivers.
Your financial gift helps us celebrate and uplift Sunflower Families, providing encouragement and support as they navigate unique challenges.
Lend your time and talents to help us plan events, assemble gift boxes, or support behind-the-scenes operations.
Businesses and organizations can collaborate with us through sponsorships, in-kind donations, or joint events.
Share our mission with your network and help us raise awareness and inspire others to support Sunflower Families.
Laila’s Gift has been featured across several platforms showcasing the joy of community support underpinned by the heartfelt gift of inclusion our nonprofit provides
Our mission is made possible through the commitment and dedication of the following partners who help bring it to life.
Contact us to unwrap the gift of discovery and learn more about our mission and services!
