Anna’s Celebration of Life Foundation (ACOLF) was inspired by a young Anna Molloy, a little girl born with a rare genetic disorder who wanted to ensure that other children with special needs were afforded the joy of “celebrating their specialness” by providing them with life-enhancing gifts needed to thrive.
Anna’s spirit of giving was contagious and everyone who came in contact with her felt a burst of energy coming from her small body. She gave so much of herself to so many others, dedicated to ensuring that every child had the opportunity to celebrate their “specialness.”
Born on September 28, 1995, Anna Helen Molloy arrived right
on schedule to anxious parents, Pete & Julie, along with her
brother, 2-year-old Peter.
Anna was a quiet baby and although she ate well, she was not
gaining weight. In January 1996, at just four months old, young
Anna began to battle what appeared to the family to be flu-like in
nature. Upon the insistence of her pediatrician, Anna was taken to
Riley Hospital for Children. It was there that she was diagnosed
with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — a virus that for a new infant or a child compromised by underlying health problems, can be life-threatening. Anna was in and out of the hospital for the next 90 days, but by April 1996, she was admitted back to Riley Hospital and would remain there for the next two years. Although doctors did not know what medical issues Anna was facing at the time, they were certain there was much more to her illness than just RSV.
During her two years at Riley, Anna underwent countless tests that led to numerous consultations, including a visit to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Throughout all of this, Anna endured more surgeries than most of us face in
our lifetime. There were times during the many emergency codes called, that the family was uncertain if they would ever see their precious Anna alive and awake again.
Although there were still more questions than answers, it was through their unwavering faith in God and a determination to offer Anna life outside of those hospital walls, that the family decided it was time to take Anna home.
It was upon that decision, that Anna’s information was entered into a world-wide medical database and the long-awaited discovery was made! Finally, a diagnosis of Geleophysics Dysplasia was found – a very rare disease (at the time) with little known about the hereditary cause, treatment and quality of life. The diagnosis was confirmed through an information-sharing consultation with a top doctor in Germany who discovered the hereditary disease.
While having the official diagnosis empowered the doctors at Riley to offer some form of normalcy for Anna and her family, it would take an additional six months at the hospital to learn to care for a child with a tracheotomy, feeding tube, oxygen and ventilator before going home. What Pete & Julie were unaware of was that during the two and a half years they were living with a toddler at home and one in the hospital, many of Pete’s business associates and friends were meeting on a regular basis in an effort to bring something very positive out of this entire experience. Little did they know that one little heart like Anna’s would change the hearts of so many.
Anna born 9.28.95
Diagnosed with RSV
Anna “codes”
1st surgery – reconstructive airway
Extensive care begins
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for a second
opinion on her reconstructive airway surgery
Decision to take Anna home with 6 months of training to establish home care routine
Global Database Discovery- Geleophysic Dysplasia
Insurance & Medically Fragile Children’s Waiver Discovery
1st Make a Wish Offer/Refusal
Anna goes home
Learns sign language & receives hearing aids
Indianapolis Monthly article is written & released about Anna.
Traumatic public experience w/ Anna at Greenwood Park Mall
1st day at school (Mary Bryan Elementary) that continues through 2007
2nd Make a Wish Offer
Spends 6th Birthday at Give Kids the World
ACOLF forms and presents the first life-enhancing gift.
St. Jude School Enhancement Program Begins (for Anna) with Indiana Repertory Theatre
Anna’s House Groundbreaking – Opening Thanksgiving Eve
Anna enrolls at St. Jude Catholic School with her friends
Family returns to Give Kids the World at Disney World
Anna passed on July 31st
(Lucious passed on August 18th)
