-
Nora Schmidt, founder of Magic for Maddie, at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on June 26. -
Madeline “Maddie” Schmidt, daughter of Nora. -
Nora Schmidt with her daughter, Madeline “Maddie” Schmidt. -
Nora Schmidt with state Sen. John Velis, holding a certificate honoring Schmidt as a member of the Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2025.
SOUTHAMPTON — “Turning pain into purpose.”
This is the mantra that has driven Southampton resident Nora Schmidt to be honored by the state as a “heroine” for her heroic dedication to honoring her daughter’s memory.
Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) encourages state legislators to nominate one woman who performs quintessential work in their community. Honorees are women acting as anything from a mentor or volunteer to an innovator or business leader, who “are the glue that keeps a community together,” according to the commission. This year’s nominees were honored by the state at the end of last month by being inducted into the Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines.
Schmidt was nominated for her work with the nonprofit she founded when her 8-year-old daughter, Madeline (Maddie), was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Maddie died on New Year’s Eve in 2022.
“It was very unexpected and such a surprise for me,” Schmidt said about her nomination. “Maddie is the true heroine in this and she fought like no other, never complained and always had a smile on her face. Really, Maddie should be the one getting this award. I am very happy to represent Maddie and accept this award on her behalf because she is the true hero.”
Schmidt was nominated by Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, whose district includes Southampton, for her work fundraising through the nonprofit, Magic for Maddie. Maddie was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and died after a 10-month battle with the disease.
Magic for Maddie’s mission is to fundraise for DIPG research to support families in the fight against pediatric cancer. In 2024, the organization funded more than $160,000 in research and donated approximately $18,000 to local nonprofits that align with their mission. In all, Magic for Maddie has raised close to $1 million dating back to its inception.
“It was amazing,” Schmidt said about the induction ceremony. “I felt so inspired by all these amazing women who are doing such great things in the community, and it was such an honor to be sitting there with them, and having the work that we do for Maddie and Magic for Maddie be represented by Senator Velis.”
“Nominating Nora was the easiest decision I have ever made, both as an elected official and a human being,” Velis said in an email to the Gazette. “As a parent myself, I couldn’t even begin to understand everything Nora and her family have been through. Words don’t do it justice. But what Nora has done to honor and advocate in Maddie’s name is, simply put, special.”
“We did everything we could, but DIPG is an intense form of brain cancer,” Schmidt’s sister Jennifer Capshaw said.
Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer deaths for children and adolescents under the age of 19, and DIPG is the most lethal form of pediatric brain cancer, with most patients being diagnosed before the age of 7. Ninety percent of children diagnosed with DIPG die within two years of diagnosis, according to Magic for Maddie.
“It means so much to our family just to be able to help others because we know how they are feeling,” Schmidt said. “We know how families will give anything and everything to help their children and how it’s a really hard time for families to have to work and care for their children.”
Schmidt is also the mother to two teenage sons.
Capshaw explained that Southampton and surrounding communities have displayed immense support for the organization. In 2024, Magic for Maddie financially supported 91 families fighting pediatric cancer, 16 of them residing locally.
In November 2024, Magic for Maddie rallied community volunteers to build Maddie’s Magical Playground at Labrie Field, the first playground in Southampton that is wheelchair-accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The organization holds various fundraisers, including the fourth annual 5K and carnival event planned for Oct. 18 this year.
“We wanted to give back to the community and really let them know how much we appreciate their support …” Schmidt said. “We also wanted to honor and remember Maddie in some way, so we decided to do another Magic for Maddie 5K and carnival fundraiser.”
Additionally, Magic for Maddie has partnered with Bikes Fight Cancer, a South Deerfield organization that holds events to fundraise for cancer research.
“My gut tells me that Maddie is looking down at her Mom with a huge smile and is so proud of her and what she’s doing,” Velis said in an email to the Gazette. “I read that someone once remarked about Maddie that ‘She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.’ I would say the same thing about her Mom.”
Sam Ferland can be reached at sferland@gazettenet.com.
