Marisa's Mascots were assembled almost 5 years ago, after Marisa Smock passed away on May 6th, 2015 from a severe asthma attack. Marisa was a freshman in college at John Carroll University studying to be a Spanish teacher and was an athlete on the JCU Women's Lacrosse team. More importantly, Marisa was a daughter, a sister, a grandaughter, a niece and cousin, an amazing friend, a beloved babysitter, a D2 lacrosse goalie, an iconic HS mascot, and a free spirit who lit up every room and person she encountered. 

Marisa had many things she wanted and would have accomplished, but more than anything, she wanted to cure asthma. She wanted to go outside on hot, humid days, not have to limit her activity, to stop having to take steroids and medicine for her asthma and not have to stay in the hospital for days of asthma treatment. 

Before Marisa passed away we hadn't known anyone who died of an asthma attack or that 10 people die in the United States every single day from asthma complications. 

To mark these five years, Marisa's Mascots are setting out to raise $5,000 for asthma research, education, treatment and hopefully one day a cure. We hope you can donate (every dollar matters), and we thank you with hearts as big as Marisas. 

Are you participating in a local or endurance event such as a 5k, 10k, 1/2 or full marathon or bike ride? Your accomplishment can help support patients and families managing asthma and allergic disease. By creating a fundraising page you can raise money to support AAFA while training and participating in the event. We can provide you with a t-shirt or help set up a fundraising page - just contact fundraise@aafa.org to request more information or support.