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 families. Our relationship began as neighbors in 2012, in Saint Charles County, Missouri. Shortly after we met, we discovered our similarities were much different than most families - we both have children that had/have 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 / Bliss 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 by promoting disability awareness and inclusion in the community and continues to seek fulfillment for her career aspirations. 

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.

Why a Flying Pig?

When pigs fly!” is a phrase frequently used to describe something that is likely never to happen. The gravity defying thought of a pig gracefully flapping its wings in the air, snout pointing to the sun and round belly gliding through the clouds produces quite an unusual and awkward vision. Ironically, the reality of this seemingly impossible feat has taken on a different meaning for our families and Foundation. The meaning is much deeper than the joyful portrayal of a mythical pig. It lies within the idea that nothing is actually impossible.

The flying pig symbolizes hope and perseverance, and the belief that anything is possible if we work together as a community, even the discovery of curative treatments for muscle diseases. Many families are affected by muscle diseases, crippling daily norms and forcing those coping with and caring for these individuals to accept the harsh realities that having muscle weakness causes. I invite you to share in this symbol of hope with us, for those affected, or those who have lost a loved one too soon, that we may help change the story for other families through our efforts as a foundation.