In this bonus episode of Conversations With Toi, we sit down with Dr. Susan Lloyd, retired Superintendent of Schools, whose extraordinary commitment to one student changed the way an entire community understood compassion, advocacy, and educational access. Her relationship with the Massi family began when their daughter, Makenna, was diagnosed with cancer in elementary school — and instead of treating her education as a logistical challenge, Dr. Lloyd made it her mission to preserve Makenna’s connection to her classmates, her learning, and her sense of normalcy.

Long before virtual learning became part of everyday life, Dr. Lloyd collaborated with hospital staff, teachers, and administrators to create innovative educational pathways for Makenna during treatment. When Makenna returned to school with a feeding tube, Dr. Lloyd wrote a heartfelt letter to students and parents that helped ease her transition and foster understanding. And when Makenna’s cancer returned, she found another groundbreaking solution: a robotic device that allowed Makenna to attend classes remotely from her hospital bed — a cutting‑edge approach that kept her engaged with her peers through seventh and eighth grade.

After Makenna’s passing, her father, Rich Massi, founded the Fight On Makenna Foundation, transforming grief into purpose and building a community-driven organization that supports families navigating pediatric cancer and loss. One of their signature events, the Bite for the Fight Food Festival, has become one of the region’s most anticipated charitable gatherings. This year’s festival takes place Saturday, September 19th, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks — bringing together restaurants, breweries, wineries, and hundreds of supporters to honor Makenna’s legacy and uplift families facing unimaginable challenges.

We also take time in this episode to talk about self-love, especially the kind rooted in discipline — the daily choices, boundaries, and habits that reflect how deeply we value ourselves. As we prepare to shift into fall vibes and a new season of intention, this conversation is a reminder that showing up for yourself is one of the most powerful forms of love you can practice.

For more wellness and mental health conversations, visit www.toitime.org and follow me on all socials at @toitimeblog. And if you’re local, make sure you grab your Bite for the Fight tickets for September 19th — your support truly makes a difference.