Meet Makenna.

Makenna’s Larsen Syndrome causes bone dislocations and affects her airway, spine and joints. She’s had a remarkable 15 surgeries in her 15 years of life.

But the most remarkable thing about this teenager is her huge generosity of spirit. Wanting to help children with illnesses like hers, she started fundraising on a yearly basis, eventually forming her own non-profit called the Makspire Foundation. To date, she’s helped raise more than $1 million for Seattle Children’s Hospital.

She finds joy in her diagnosis, saying that without it she wouldn’t be the person she is. “That’s why I devote my spare time to raising funds for the hospital and encouraging other kids to bring about the positive changes they want to see in the world,” she says.