Cassandra & Michael

Cassandra and Michael's journey to parenthood is a testament to their enduring love and resilience. Their story begins in the mountains of Sant'angelo dei Lombardi, Italy, where Cassandra's grandmother took her to the Sanctuary of San Gerardo Maiella, the patron saint of miracle babies. This sacred place, adorned with pink and blue bows representing hope, set the backdrop for Cassandra's dreams of a family. Years later, after meeting Michael in Claremont, CA, and navigating the complexities of their careers and lives, they faced the heartbreaking challenge of Cassandra's rare blood condition which made pregnancy nearly impossible.

Despite the hurdles, including Cassandra's critical health issues and multiple medical challenges, their hope never wavered. In 2021, after freezing embryos and starting the surrogacy process, they experienced the unexpected joy of Cassandra becoming pregnant. This miracle, however, was fraught with complications, including a lung collapse and an emergency C-section. Emma Francesca Peel, their daughter, was born against all odds, a symbol of the ancestral strength and love that guided them through their trials.

Now, with Emma approaching her first birthday Cassandra and Michael are pursuing another round of surrogacy. Their powerful statement reflects their journey: “We plan to take our whole family to the Sanctuary of San Gerardo Maiella to share our story and honor Emma’s miraculous arrival.”

They are recipients of the 2023 Penelope Grant.