This year’s 2020 event went virtual and it was amazing to see everyone take to the streets in their own neighborhoods across multiple cities and states, to show support for this amazing organization.  Actor/comedian Jack Black was gracious enough to host the festivities for the second year in a row, where 300 walkers participated and raised over $90,000.  You can view this year’s introductory remarks, including Jack’s welcome from his own backyard, click here.  We hope to see everyone in person next year!

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Layla Paige Sonnen was born April 9, 2015. The newest addition to our growing family, we were overjoyed to have a beautiful baby sister for our son Luke. We thought she was perfectly healthy from the moment we laid eyes on her.

But, at the age of 6 months, Layla Paige had a grand mal seizure. She was admitted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and we soon received the worst news any parents could imagine: our precious baby girl had a rare brain disorder, with no prognosis.

For the next two years, Layla received exceptional care from doctors, nurses and therapists at three leading West Coast hospitals. In all, her care team included 19 teams of dedicated clinicians.

Layla fought like a true "Warrior Princess” for 22 months.  But as her nervous system began to break down, we started to realize that our brave little girl was suffering. As her parents and her protectors, we had a hard time accepting where we were in her journey. But a gentle physician named Dr. Glen Komatsu helped us see that Layla’s quality of life was deteriorating. Dr. Komatsu and his team from TrinityKids Care Hospice (“TKC”) helped us realize that, instead of prolonging Layla’s life, we were ultimately prolonging her pain. 

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Dr. Komatsu and his team, we began to see that the most loving thing we could do for Layla was to let her go. Layla took her final breath at home, in her mother’s arms, on July 8, 2017. Surrounded by her father and her 4-year-old brother, Luke, she was finally pain free and at peace.  

Our Hero, even in death, Layla’s legacy lives on in others. Layla’s heart valves are now beating on in two people who needed her help. While we don’t know the age, gender, or the country where the recipients live, we are so grateful to know her heart is beating on, in double time!

In addition, a 4-year-old girl in Dominican Republic and a 76-year-old woman in Arizona have the gift of sight because they are seeing the world through Layla’s donated corneas.

Words cannot describe the tremendous debt of gratitude our family owes to the medical miracle workers at Providence TrinityKids Care Hospice, the only dedicated pediatric hospice program in Los Angeles and Orange counties for infants, children and adolescents with life-limiting illnesses.  TKC provides in-home care and support for young patients and their families. 

We know first-hand how important this care was to our family. They compassionately guided us through the most devastating time in our life. Please consider honoring Layla’s legacy and helping us say "thank you" for the incredible care our family received. Your donation to Providence TrinityKids Care Hospice will help other patients and families receive this much-needed care.

Thank you!

Matt, Larissa (“Reese”), and Luke Sonnen

Last year, Layla’s story inspired $149,000 in donations to support TrinityKids Care Hospice!

Won't you make a gift in Layla’s loving memory to help us reach this year’s goal of $150,000 to continue honoring her legacy?