How One Mom Found Hope Through Nevus Outreach -Moments that Matter

This story highlights the mission of Nevus Outreach: to connect, support, and empower people affected by CMN. Our goal is to ensure that no one feels alone on this journey.

When Holland was born, her mom, Laura, a postpartum and NICU nurse with 8 years of experience, had cared for over 1,000 babies. But despite her deep medical background, she had never heard of Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (CMN) or Neurocutaneous Melanocytosis (NCM).

For Laura and her husband, Nick, Holland’s diagnosis came as a shock. Their tightly knit family of four suddenly found themselves navigating the unfamiliar world of a rare disease...one filled with questions, worry, and the unknown.

Like so many families in our community, their journey began with uncertainty. “We were given no information or guidance at delivery about what Holland’s condition could be,” Laura recalls. “It took me Googling what could cause her ‘spots’ to start piecing things together.”

Discovering Nevus Outreach

Late one night during Holland’s first week of life, Laura stumbled across the Nevus Outreach website. It was the first place that offered clear information and a glimmer of hope.

“The website gave me the best information and a sliver of hope for Holland’s future,” she says. “Once I joined the Facebook group, I finally felt less isolated. It was a buoy I clung to at the beginning of our CMN journey. I’ll never be able to put into words what a relief it was,” she shares. “It truly is the reason I made it out of the dark headspace I was in following Holland’s birth.”

Through that group, she found not only resources but people-other parents who truly understood the fears and daily questions. “With no one locally able to guide us, I needed to educate myself so I could advocate for Holland. Finding the Nevus Outreach community gave me that power... and a sense that we weren’t alone.”

Building Lifelong Connections

As she began to share her story and connect online, friendships blossomed across the country and beyond. “I’ve connected with families all over the U.S.- even a few internationally!” she says.

One of those connections became especially meaningful: meeting fellow mom Alissa Peters, whose family lives in San Diego, where Laura herself grew up.

“When I realized Alissa lived so close by, in my hometown, I was so excited! Up to that point, I hadn’t found any other families in Nevada.” The two moms bonded online, and their children, Holland and Shay, now share a special connection as “skin twins.”

Though too young to recognize their similarities just yet, their mothers are already envisioning a lifelong friendship built on understanding and shared experience. “I’m so excited for them to grow up knowing each other..to have someone who truly ‘gets it.’ I hope they can be each other’s inspiration to be confident in their skin and never let their condition hold them back.”

The Power of Meeting in Person

While online support offers connection and understanding, meeting in person brings that sense of belonging to life. For families like Laura’s, being face-to-face with others who share their experience transforms isolation into community.

There’s something profoundly healing about seeing another child with a similar birthmark -or watching your own child play freely, surrounded by people who simply “get it.” It’s in those moments, during local meet-ups and national gatherings, that parents find strength, children find confidence, and lifelong friendships take root.

Laura has seen firsthand how impactful these gatherings can be and hopes to help make more of them possible. She aims to plan future in-person events in California and Nevada, giving families more opportunities to meet, connect, and share their stories. She looks forward to meeting many more nevus families in person and continuing to help others find the same hope and support that changed her family’s journey.

Get Involved- Host a Local Event!

Laura’s story is a reminder that one connection can change everything and that every family has the power to spark hope in others.

Ready to bring families together in your own area? You can host your very own Nevus Neighbor event ANYTIME you’d like. We will spread the word and even assist you in planning it. It’s a chance to meet other families, share stories, and remind one another that we’re never alone on this journey.

Interested in hosting a local event?

Learn more or sign up to start planning your Nevus Neighbor event at nevus.org/awareness

---

If you would like to share a story with us, please feel free to use our share your rare link below to help us tell your story to the community.

Share Your Rare