‘My Job Isn’t Selling Houses, It’s Bringing Children Home,’ Says RE/MAX Agent

Laura June was used to her two athletic sons coming home with bumps and bruises. When her youngest, Steve, first complained about a bump on his leg, she didn’t think much of it. After all, growing pains are normal for a 12-year-old.

And then came the moment she’ll never forget.

“I was looking in the mirror, putting on my makeup, and I saw him walking behind me. He was limping so hard he couldn’t even carry a bowl of cereal,” Laura says.

Fruit Loops spilled everywhere, and Laura realized something more was wrong.

She took Steve to the doctor for what she thought would be a routine X-ray. She was working in her RE/MAX Little Oak Realty office in Surrey, British Columbia, when the call came.

“The radiologist referred us to the oncology department at BC Children’s Hospital,” Laura says. “It was surreal – I hung up and burst into tears.”

The X-ray revealed the true cause of Steve’s pain: A tumor growing in the middle of his shinbone. Ultimately a surgery was scheduled to remove the tumor using a special machine that had to be reserved three months in advance. In the meantime, doctors tried to prepare the family for the worst-case scenario: Steve may lose his leg.

After months of anxious waiting, the day of Steve’s surgery to remove the tumor arrived. Finally, Laura received some good news.

“The whole time I was preparing for the worst but that didn’t happen!” Laura says. “Steve actually had a very rare – and benign – tumor. He was going to be fine.”

Today Steve is thriving and pursuing a career in cybersecurity, while Laura is well-known for her fundraising work for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) through the RE/MAX Miracle Home Program. As a RE/MAX Miracle Agent, Laura donates $100 with each closed transaction to CMN, where the money helps support research and care at her local children’s hospital.

Yet even after receiving the award for top CMN donor in her office, Laura didn’t share the personal story behind her passion for years.

“I compartmentalized the whole experience into a box and then put it on a shelf,” Laura says. “And just kept on being a Miracle Agent for many years.”

After some reflection, Laura says she thinks she was scared that if she shared a vulnerable story, clients would see her as a weak agent and wouldn’t be interested in working with her.

“I’m only coming to understand this now – that showing vulnerability to people isn’t a weakness, it shows that you’re strong,” Laura says.

During the annual RE/MAX Month of Miracles, held every August, she tripled donations, and she regularly highlighted the importance of supporting CMN on her social media channels. Finally, a coworker encouraged Laura to share her story. “They said, ‘Don’t you think it’s time your clients knew why you do what you do?'”

With that support, Laura finally began to open up about her story – even appearing with Steve in a video produced by CMN.

Laura says serving as a RE/MAX Miracle Agent gives her job special meaning.

“Everyone has to find their own ‘why,'” Laura says. “I know I’m not the only one who feels the need for bigger purpose. This is my ‘why.’ I don’t see my job as selling houses, I see it as bringing children home.”

Her clients are fully on board with her mission. Often while Laura is hanging a Miracle Home sign rider in front of home, which indicates a donation will be made to CMN once the home is sold, a neighbor stops to ask what it means to be a Miracle Agent. It provides an opportunity to share stories – and build relationships.

“I’ve connected with the most amazing people, “Laura says. “Knowing RE/MAX also supports CMN means the world to me.”