Community rallies around #MiaStrong
A before and now photo of second grader Mia Johnson, who aspires to be a police officer someday and is living with acute myeloid leukemia. Photo source: Briana Johnson
Mia with a Mia Strong t-shirt. Photo source: Briana Johnson
Mia and her mom, Briana Johnson. Photo source: Briana Johnson
A purple pin worn by a Wareham Police Officer in support of Mia. Photo source: Lt. Bryan Whalen
Mia smiles with a big red nose. Photo source: Briana Johnson
Mia at the hospital. Photo source: Briana Johnson
A before and now photo of second grader Mia Johnson, who aspires to be a police officer someday and is living with acute myeloid leukemia. Photo source: Briana Johnson
Mia with a Mia Strong t-shirt. Photo source: Briana Johnson
Mia and her mom, Briana Johnson. Photo source: Briana Johnson
A purple pin worn by a Wareham Police Officer in support of Mia. Photo source: Lt. Bryan Whalen
Mia smiles with a big red nose. Photo source: Briana Johnson
Mia at the hospital. Photo source: Briana Johnson
Since Mia Johnson was diagnosed with cancer on Wednesday, June 10, her family's lives "went into a complete whirlwind," Mia's mother Briana Johnson said. Amid that whirlwind, however, came an outpouring of support from the Wareham community.
Mia has acute myeloid leukemia, a fast-growing form of cancer that impacts the blood and bone marrow. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Boston Children's Hospital.
Briana Johnson describes Mia as a go-getter and "such a sweet soul." She added that Mia loves to dance, being around people, exploring and fishing.
"Anything she can do," Briana Johnson said. "She'll do it."
Mia dreams of being a police officer someday, her mother said. Earlier this week, the Wareham Police Department announced that every Wareham police cruiser would have a "Mia Strong" sticker placed on it.
"Mia, we’ve got your 6," a Facebook post from the police department read.
According to Lt. Bryan Whalen, the Wareham police department will be wearing purple "Mia" pins on their uniforms as a "symbol of strength."
Purple is Mia's favorite color, according to Mia's mom, and has since become the core color representing Mia Strong. Symbolically, purple is associated with compassion, bravery and perseverance, Briana Johnson said.
In addition to wearing purple pins, the police department will be delivering care baskets and making hospital visits to "lift Mia’s spirits and keep her motivated during her fight," Whalen wrote in an email to Wareham Week.
Beyond the police department, Mia's family has drawn support from all sides of the community.
Briana Johnson started a GoFundMe that has since raised over $24,000 to cover hospital stays, meals and lost income while Mia is in the hospital. Wareham Elementary School wore purple to celebrate "Mia Monday" on June 22, including Mia's own second grade class. And the Mia Strong organization, started by Johnson family friends, is collecting patches from police departments to create a keepsake album for future officer Mia.
Briana Johnson said that the efforts to support Mia have "grown into something so much bigger," reminding Mia that she does not have to go through cancer treatment alone.
"She does not need to do this alone," Briana Johnson said. "She doesn't need to fight leukemia alone."
Mia is looking forward to coming home in a few weeks after her first round of chemotherapy ends. Briana Johnson said that she was planning a couple of surprises for Mia when she returns to Wareham and encouraged people not to be afraid to lean into their community.
"Sometimes the where you plant your roots is so important," she said. "It's just so profound to see how strong the Wareham community is."
Briana Johnson ended her conversation with Wareham Week sharing a phrase that Mia often says.
"Don't give up and love," she said.
