BORN FROM PROFOUND LOSS, MACEN’S WAY IS TRANSFORMING GRIEF INTO PURPOSE UNITING STATEN ISLAND FAMILIES, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL TO SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CARE AND BRING HOPE TO CHILDREN WHEN IT’S NEEDED MOST
BY AMANDA MCcOY PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY
For Vildana Husic, Staten Island has always felt like home. When she met her husband, BlerimHusic, the couple decided to put down roots on the Island, where they are raising their children Dalaila, Liham, and Jaiden and building a life grounded in family and community. But in August of 2023, their lives were forever changed.
Macen, the couple’s son, was born sleeping on August 28. His life, though heartbreakingly brief, would come to define a mission far greater than loss. For the Husics, the name “Macen” represents a protector and guardian a meaning that now guides the mission of Macen’s Way, a children’s charity the family founded in his memory.
“We want to keep his name alive,” said Vildana Husic. She explained that since the launch of the foundation, countless people have reached out to share similar stories. “With a miscarriage, you are preparing for something that didn’t happen. It’s tragic and heartbreaking, but the topic is often not talked about. We’ve heard from so many people who have experienced the same tragedy.”
In the aftermath of their loss, the Husics felt a powerful calling to show up in support of any children and families facing hardships in their tight-knit borough. Though still healing themselves, the couple began donating to several local children’s nonprofits and volunteered at fundraising events and charity drives. The work was fulfilling, but they couldn’t shake the feeling that they were meant to do more to honor their son.
“We wanted to do something in Macen’s name,” noted Husic of her inspiration behind the foundation. “We felt called to set up this mission in keeping his name alive, but we didn’t know where to start.”
The early days of Macen’s Way were marked by uncertainty, but also by an instinctive pull toward community, and soon all the pieces fell into place. Support came from family members who helped connect the dots: Blerim’s sister, Fatbardha Avdiu, a passionate educator with expertise in special education, leadership, and community service, offered guidance, while Vildana’s brother-in-law, Milazim Durakovic (Zimo), had built relationships with the leaders of Staten Island University Hospital and its philanthropic partners through his multi-decade career in healthcare. Durakovic connected the couple to Linda and Keith Manfredi of The Joseph Maffeo Foundation, a longstanding local nonprofit organization whose prominent partnership with SIUH has helped bring many of the hospital’s transformational projects to life, including the current pediatric unit in the main hospital and the future neonatal intensive care unit at the 50,000-square-foot Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center.
“Linda and Keith are amazing people,” said Husic. “We had a sit-down with them, and they really took us under their wing. They told us that the hospital had plans to introduce a new pediatric center, and that’s when we knew where to start: by supporting our community hospital. It’s where I had Macen and all my kids. It really resonated with me.”
Macen’s Way was officially founded in January of 2025 with a clear purpose: to raise funds for pediatric care at SIUH while supporting children and families facing physical, emotional, or financial challenges. “Once we started, we went full force,” said Husic.
That momentum was on full display on August 28, 2025 Macen’s birthday when the foundation hosted its inaugural fundraiser at Angelina’s Ristorante. “It was a huge success and exceeded our expectations,” said Husic. More than 200 people gathered for an evening of music, raffles, and an unmistakable sense of togetherness. Prizes included a vacation to Aruba, a Dior bag, spa packages, laser removal treatments, and restaurant gift certificates. A cigar station offered guests an elevated outdoor experience, while keynote speeches from SIUH leaders highlighted the future of pediatric care and the impact of a new, state-of-the-art facility that would bear Macen’sname: the Macen Husic Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Behind the scenes, the evening was as emotional as it was affirming. “It was a tough time for me personally; I was so nervous,” Husic said. “My team told me that they had everything covered. I learned the power of a good team, especially when it’s so hard on you personally.”
The outpouring of support left a lasting impression. “People that I don’t even know are showing up and supporting our mission,” she said. “That alone is so touching to me, to see a whole community come together.” What began as a deeply personal act of remembrance had quickly become a shared effort – one rooted in Staten Island’s long tradition of showing up for its own.
Now, Macen’s Way is continuing to build on that foundation. This April 28, the organization will host The Macen’s Way Foundation Golf Classic at Richmond County Country Club to support their commitment to SIUH. The all-day event will include a breakfast, golf tournament, cocktail hour, dinner, raffles, and a performance by comedian Mike Marino, with proceeds once again supporting pediatric care at SIUH.
Looking ahead, Husic remains grounded in the present moment. “I’m excited to see where the foundation keeps going, but right now I’m living in the moment and taking it all in,” she said. For her, Macen’s Way has become far more than a charity – it’s a source of healing.
“This foundation has already helped me so much,” she added. “It’s been an honor to turn my negative into someone’s positive.”
Macen’s Way