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February is Heart Awareness Month. It's a time to celebrate care, compassion, and purpose. At Beyond the Stage, we use this month to spotlight stories that remind us what strength really looks like. Not the loud kind. Not the kind that asks for attention. But the kind that shows up quietly, with purpose, compassion, and an unshakable belief in helping others. This month, we are honored to feature Myanna, a 14-year-old changemaker whose journey is rooted in resilience, empathy, and heart-led leadership. Through Myanna’s Heart Totes, she turns her own experiences with surgery and recovery into comfort for children facing similar challenges. Reminding them that they are not alone, and that they are stronger than their storms. Myanna’s story is a powerful reminder that impact doesn’t come from age, titles, or platforms. It comes from lived experience, from listening, and from choosing to give back even when the journey isn’t easy. As you read her story, we invite you to slow down. Let it sit with you. Let it remind you that leadership can look like kindness, that courage can be gentle, and that sometimes the biggest hearts belong to the youngest voices. This is what Heart Month is about. -Beyond The Stage Spotlight: Young & Lit Amplifying the next generation of creators, leaders, and innovators. Myanna pictured here with her family on February 6, 2026, National Wear Red Day. National Wear Red Day a crucial initiative by the American Heart Association's to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease support heart health research. To the right: Myanna is currently featured on a billboard in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Heart Behind Myanna’s Heart Totes At just 15 years old, Myanna is proof that impact doesn’t come from age, it comes from heart. Soft-spoken, creative, and quietly powerful, she’s the founder behind Myanna’s Heart Totes, an initiative dedicated to bringing comfort and strength to children navigating some of life’s hardest moments. Getting to Know Myanna Myanna is 14 years old and, like many teens her age, enjoys hanging out with friends at school, drawing, and spending time with her puppy. She’s involved in theater and robotics, loves shows like Supernatural and Stranger Things, and has a deep fascination with dragons. This is something people might not expect at first glance. While her interests are fun and relatable, her story carries a depth far beyond her years. The Heart Behind the Mission The inspiration for Myanna’s Heart Totes began early. At age five, Myanna underwent tethered spinal cord release surgery, a painful experience that required her to remain on her back during recovery. Her mom recalls trying everything to keep her distracted: toys, books, and small comforts. Anything to make the hospital stay easier. By age seven, Myanna had already decided she wanted to give that same comfort to other children. She created a list of items she remembered wishing she had: blankets, toys, coloring supplies, books, and baby essentials like socks, mittens, pacifiers, and bibs. Drawing from her memories and photos from her own open-heart surgery, she wanted to make sure no child felt forgotten or alone. One memory stood out the most, leaving the hospital feeling like a superhero. She remembered walking out wearing a cape and a superhero shirt, feeling strong despite everything she’d been through. That feeling became the foundation for the now-signature shirt featuring Myanna’s own artwork and the powerful message: “I Am Stronger Than My Storm.” Letting Kids Know They’re Not Alone For Myanna, supporting children with congenital heart defects, autism, ADHD, and anxiety is deeply personal. Her mission is simple but powerful: to remind them they are not alone. When asked what it means to be a young person making a difference, her answer is humble and honest. She just wants to be seen as normal, like everyone else. That perspective shapes how she leads. Despite occasional comments from peers (mostly about her height), Myanna pushes forward with confidence, reminding herself, and others — that heart kids are just like everyone else. “The only difference,” she says, “is I have a big scar.” Impact, Community & Connection One of Myanna’s favorite parts of this journey is seeing the community come together. She especially loves the heart picnics, where people recognize her, wear her shirt, and take photos with her. Those moments, small but meaningful, remind her that what she’s doing matters. The toys and gifts she donates serve a simple but essential purpose: they give kids something new to do, something to focus on, something that helps the time pass. Families often send photos and notes after receiving Heart Totes. Myanna thinks that’s “cool”. It's a quiet acknowledgment that her kindness is reaching farther than she imagined. Advice from a Young Leader For other young people who want to help but don’t know where to start, Myanna keeps it real: “Ask your parents for help.” She believes anyone can give back, no matter their age, and hopes kids her age understand that making a difference doesn’t require perfection. It requires intention. When asked who inspires her most, she points to Taylor Swift, not for fame, but for kindness. Myanna and her supportive team participated in the Inova Children's Hospital Heart Picnic in summer 2025. They handed out new t-shirts and toys to all the heart warriors. There were all ages, from infants to college age. Myanna had a great time seeing all the families and playing with the kids. She got her face painted and photos with some of the kids who wore her shirts! Lunch was served to all from Glory Days Grill. Looking Ahead As for the future of Myanna’s Heart Totes, the vision is simple: keep going as long as it’s making a difference. There’s hope for a new shirt designed for teenagers and dreams of expanding to more hospitals. Those who want to support can do so through donations, seasonal toy drives, and the Target registry, especially during the holidays. Just for Fun (and the Heart) On hard days, Myanna finds joy in her friends. Especially the ones who tell the worst jokes just to make her laugh. And if she could leave one message for kids going through tough times, it would be this: “Don’t give up.” This Heart Awareness Month, Myanna's Heart Totes reminds us that building something meaningful starts from the heart. And that leading with heart isn't just a feeling. It's a mission.