When Briley Weikel walks into a room, you can’t help but smile and feel the joy she radiates.
“My goal is to be the first woman president,” Weikel explains.
She’s only 8 years old, but has been through more in her short life than most people go through their entire lives.
Her mom, Brianna Weikel, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.
“She had chemo and surgery and we were told she was in the clear,” explains dad Billy Weikel. “It came back and was very aggressive. She passed away in August 2015.”
Her brother Barclay was born with a very rare metablic condition called Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia.
“Most children born with this condition don’t leave the hospital,” Weikel says. “Having five years, almost six was a Godsend to us.
Through Make-a-Wish, Barclay and his family got to go to Disney World.
“We made a lot of cool memories toward the end of his life,” Weikel says.
Barclay passed away in August of 2017.
Memories are all the Weikel family has left.
That’s why they started the non profit Joyful Ventures to help other people going through tragedies.
“When you have tragedy hit your family one of the only things you’re left with are the memories and these events will hopefully bring joy to not only us but also to other families,” Weikel explains.
They plan on having different events throughout the year,
Their inaugural event is a 5K Run/Walk on Mother’s Day weekend.
They hope to raise more awareness and money to find a cure for breast cancer and Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia
But it’s not only about the money, it’s about paying it forward and spreading joy to other people in our community.
The 5K Run will be May 12, 2018.
You can follow Joyful Ventures here and find more information on registering for the walk here.
