Our Story
The Flying Pigs Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit, established in August of 2018. We have been raising money to support individuals with muscle diseases since 2009. Our mission is to raise money in support of individuals and families who are diagnosed with muscle diseases in the Greater St. Louis area and promote awareness and education. The Flying Pigs Foundation also awards an annual scholarship and promotes awareness in the local community.
The Board of Directors for The Flying Pigs Foundation is made up of the Hawn and Holler / Bliss families. Our relationship began as neighbors in 2012, in Saint Charles County, Missouri. Shortly after we met, we discovered that our similarities were much different than most families - we both have children who have/had muscle diseases. We have since combined efforts through our Foundation to make a difference in our community.
The Flying Pigs Foundation has a long-standing relationship with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The MDA St. Louis Chapter serves children and adults who are diagnosed with a muscle disease.
Hawn Family Story:
The Flying Pigs team was created in 2009, after Jennifer & Chris Hawn experienced the loss of their 6 month old son, Ryan Michael Hawn to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Type 1. This debilitating muscle disease causes profound weakness of the core muscles of the body, and for infants like Ryan, primarily the muscles used for breathing. SMA is the number one genetic cause of death for infants, however, new drugs have been approved recently that are helping these infants improve in strength. There are other types of SMA that onset at later stages of life as well. Ryan passed on July 28, 2009, in the arms of his parents. Since Ryan’s death, the Hawn family with their two surviving children, Charlotte and Grant, have been raising money for the MDA St. Louis, and now through the Flying Pigs Foundation.
Holler Family Story:
Four out of the five members of the Holler family are affected by Muscular Dystrophy. Emily, (mother), Olivia (daughter), Isabella (daughter) and Bode (son) have all displayed similar muscular weaknesses. Their story began when Olivia was diagnosed with Congenital Myopathy with restrictive lung disease just before her 13th birthday. Olivia’s disease rapidly progressed and she now uses a power wheelchair to conserve energy and respiratory function but is still able to walk. Olivia graduated from Mizzou with a journalism degree in 2023. She has found an outlet for her voice through advocating for disability awareness and inclusion in the community, alongside her work as a self-employed digital marketing professional.
At age 13, Isabella spent 15-20 hours/week training in the gym as a competitive acrobatic gymnast, but over time, she began to struggle with her skills and was subsequently diagnosed with a milder form of Congenital Myopathy with respiratory complications. Bode was also diagnosed with Congenital Myopathy in early 2019 at age 9. Bode still participates in athletics but struggles with endurance and keeping up with his peers.
Olivia was recently accepted into the Pediatric Undiagnosed Diseases Network, which will further the research about the type of Muscular Dystrophy the Holler family has and what treatments may be available. The research supported by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) may help the Hollers find the genetic link between them, which could lead to a diagnosis, treatment, or even a cure.