The Sisters
The heart behind the MacPac Foundation is the strength, compassion, and resilience of the sisters who started it all. HBSL patients Marissa and Mahrynn, and their caregiver sisters Madison and Mallory, have banded together to fight for an inclusive future for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. If you’re looking to learn more about who they are as individuals, you’ve come to the right place!
Marissa McLaughlin
At eighteen years old, Marissa is one of the oldest patients known to be diagnosed with HBSL. As a patient advocate, she hopes to inspire a community where other young people affected by chronic and rare diseases can share their stories, concerns, joys, and fears authentically and truthfully without judgement.
Outside of her advocacy work, Marissa loves all things musical theater and hopes to follow in Ali Stroker’s footsteps as a Broadway actress who uses a wheelchair for mobility assistance. An avid Beatles, Shawn Mendes, Hamilton, Spring Awakening, and Disney fan; you’ll never find her not listening to music. She herself plays piano, ukulele, sings, and composes music. Marissa also enjoys writing (plays, scripts, and short stories), chicken noodle soup, and recommending lists of books to all her friends.
Mahrynn McLaughlin
At just fourteen years old, Mahrynn is a budding songwriter, singer, pianist, and ukulele player. In addition to being one of the oldest patients with HBSL, Mahrynn is always looking for ways to create more inclusion within the HBSL and Disabled community.
Many have called her an inspiration (a compliment she is hesitant to accept) for the ways she continues to thrive in life. Her resilience is perhaps best shown by her time in the equestrian field when she fell off her horse (literally!) and immediately got back on. Even after recovering from a serious concussion, she is still as quick as ever to defend horses and eagerly awaits resuming her dream of riding in the Special Olympics.
You can usually find Mahrynn wherever animals are, listening to her favorite singer-songwriters, or expanding her own ever-growing song repertoire.
Mallory McLaughlin
In addition to being a carrier of HBSL and a sibling caregiver, Mallory McLaughlin is also an artist, advocate, and animal lover. Never one to have a dull moment, Mallory fills most of her days with virtual college classes, building her art portfolio, and trying new (mostly vegan) recipes. Of course, regardless of what she’s doing, her forever companion — her rescue dog, River — is never far behind.
As an animation student, Mallory is always one to introduce her family to new movies and is constantly sketching new ideas. As she’s gotten older (a whopping sixteen years old), Mallory has also grown interested in the effects of fast fashion on our environment. Mallory’s research about climate change and passion for a greener lifestyle is what lead MacPac Foundation to prioritize leading a sustainable life as a non-profit corporation.
Madison McLaughlin
Though perhaps most known for her work as an actor (CW’s Arrow and Supernatural, NBC’s Chicago PD, AMC’s Mad Men, TNT’s Major Crimes) Madison McLaughlin is most proud of her role as a big sister. Being only six years old when Marissa’s health suddenly regressed, Madison sprung into action as a sibling caregiver. Now that they’re older, Madison’s commitment as a caregiver hasn’t wavered; regularly bringing her sisters to hospital treatments, procedures, therapies, and surgeries. Her close relationships with all of her sisters has lead Madison to finding her voice as an advocate and ally to the Disabled community — especially those with rare diseases like HBSL. When she’s not working in advocacy, film and TV, or as a board member for the MacPac Foundation, you can usually find Madison on hikes with her rescue dog, Ezra, or watching baking competition shows with her sisters.