We are excited for you to meet Erin Slivka, a local Westerville mom and founder of The Ayla Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to raise awareness and fund cutting-edge clinical research for pediatric cancer – focusing on cancer’s biggest bully, DIPG/DMG.
Before we learn about the foundation, let’s meet Erin the mom! Tell us a a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in the Cleveland area (Seven Hills, OH), after college I moved out of state, but came back to Ohio in 2021 and have since resided in Westerville for 4.5 years! We have three kids: Ayla Grace, forever 6, Asher, 8 years old, and Aspen, 4 years old. And Auggie, our fur baby is 6 months old.
I love to be outdoors, especially with my kids, and the park system around Columbus is plentiful.
We love exploring Shale Hollow Park and hiking in Hocking Hills. We also love playing games (we are a competitive family). And something I do for myself is meditate and exercise.
Our mission is to Give Moms the Gift of Time. What are some of your best time-saving tips or resources as a parent?
This is such a tough question to answer – and yet such an important one to ask. I have a few abstract thoughts about “time,” along with some practical habits that have helped me recently.
As a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, writer and founder, there never seems to be enough time in the day to do all the things. Some days, twenty-four hours simply doesn’t feel like enough—but it’s all we’re given. When your hands are in many pots, prioritization becomes essential: understanding what needs your immediate attention, what can wait, and what doesn’t need your attention at all. As a lifelong people-pleaser, I’ve had to become more comfortable with the words “no” and “not right now.”
On a practical level, I am a bit of a health enthusiast – especially when it comes to nutrition and what my family, particularly my children, are putting into their bodies. When my daughter, Ayla, was diagnosed with cancer, health and wellness became two non-negotiable priorities. Mealtime is something I deeply value for our family, but as we’ve entered a season filled with sports and after-school activities, cooking dinner can feel rushed – or disappear altogether.
Everything began to feel more manageable when I committed to meal prepping. It sounds simple, but it can have a suprisingly meaningful impact. If health is a priority and mid-week meals are rushed, intention makes all the difference. Sunday afternoons usually offer a few uninterrupted hours to meal plan, grocery shop, and prep ahead. That small investment of time has paid off for our family: saving money at the grocery store, staying organized, and making healthier choices during the week when time feels scarce. It’s helped me reclaim precious minutes and reduce mid-week stress – which, let’s be honest, we could all use a little less of!
Tell us more about The Ayla Foundation and your reasoning behind starting it.
The Ayla Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to raise awareness & fund cutting-edge clinical research for pediatric brain cancer – focusing on cancer’s biggest bully, DIPG/DMG.
Just shy of her sixth birthday, our eldest daughter, Ayla Grace was diagnosed with DIPG/DMG, a rare and terminal pediatric brain cancer. We were told that because of its location on the brainstem, the tumor was inoperable and without a curative treatment. In that moment, our lives were irrevocably changed. Throughout Ayla’s journey, our eyes were opened to the stark disparity in treatment options for children with cancer compared to adults—and to how little clinical research and funding is dedicated to childhood cancers versus adult cancers. Ayla’s courageous fight inspired the creation of our foundation—so that families are met with hope, support, and action rather than impossible words. We fund innovative clinical research, advocate for change where it matters most, and help ease the financial burden for families facing a DIPG/DMG diagnosis.
What makes The Ayla Foundation unique?
When our daughter Ayla was diagnosed with DIPG we learned quickly that pediatric cancer isn’t just heartbreaking… it’s underfunded, under-researched, and too often met with impossible options. What sets us apart is that we decided to fight on every front: supporting families immediately, pushing for change at the places that control funding and urgency, and investing in the research that can actually move the needle for children with the deadliest brain tumors. We exist to make sure “go home and make memories” is never the best plan medicine can offer.
How can people get involved with and/or support The Ayla Foundation?
Monetary donations (especially recurring donations) are crucial to help propel our mission forward, but donating time (volunteering) or skills are just as important as we grow and expand our fundraising efforts. Visit www.theaylafoundation.com to donate and learn more or email [email protected] to get involved!
The Ayla Foundation has been operating for three years (congrats!), where do you see it going in the next five years?
I have big goals on my heart; to raise $5 million dollars over the next five years. In five years I see us having funded a few BFGs (what I affectionately call “big fat grants”), having launched a bi-annual advocating event for DIPG/DMG families in Washington, and helping bridge the financial gap for as many families as possible (especially around the Columbus area) who have a child with a terminal brain cancer diagnosis.
Want to help? Click here to learn more and donate.
Thank you so much for sharing The Ayla Foundation with us. We have just a few more questions!
Favorite restaurant in Columbus: Asterisk Supper Club in Uptown Westerville
Favorite date night spot: Barcelona in German Village
Dream vacation: Japan and if I had my family with me, I would stay as long as they would allow!
Something about you people may not know: I’m a children’s book author
Best mom advice: There’s not much a hot glue gun can’t fix!
