Spotlight Archives - Friends of Karen https://www.friendsofkaren.org/category/spotlight/ Supporting critically-ill children and their families Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:44:34 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://www.friendsofkaren.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/fok-balloons-150x150.png Spotlight Archives - Friends of Karen https://www.friendsofkaren.org/category/spotlight/ 32 32 Will I Feel Anything? https://www.friendsofkaren.org/will-i-feel-anything/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=will-i-feel-anything Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:46:42 +0000 https://www.friendsofkaren.org/?p=14427 With the imminent passing of my dear son Luke upon us, his last question to me was, “Will I feel anything?” I was sure he was referring to the pain he was enduring as a result of being ravaged with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) which had spread throughout his body. I immediately answered, “No sweetheart, you will just fall into a beautiful peaceful sleep.” Only by the grace of God did he hear those words.

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With the imminent passing of my dear son Luke upon us, his last question to me was, “Will I feel anything?” I was sure he was referring to the pain he was enduring as a result of being ravaged with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) which had spread throughout his body. I immediately answered, “No sweetheart, you will just fall into a beautiful peaceful sleep.” Only by the grace of God did he hear those words.

Read the full article on Forbes.com.

Luke and Cara. Friends of Karen is a non-profit that provides vital financial, advocacy, and emotional support to families navigating the challenges of having a critically ill child in the New York tri-state area, including during end-of-life and bereavement.
Luke and Cara. Friends of Karen is a non-profit that provides vital financial, advocacy, and emotional support to families navigating the challenges of having a critically ill child in the New York tri-state area, including during end-of-life and bereavement.

The post Will I Feel Anything? appeared first on Friends of Karen.

]]> Just Like the Moon https://www.friendsofkaren.org/mom-explains-sickle-cell-disease-in-new-childrens-book-just-like-the-moon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mom-explains-sickle-cell-disease-in-new-childrens-book-just-like-the-moon Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:40:45 +0000 https://www.friendsofkaren.org/?p=14786 Friends of Karen Mom Explains Sickle Cell Disease in her new Children’s Book, Just Like the Moon. Looking for resources to support her daughter, Alessia who was diagnosed with SCD, Maite Rodriguez dreamed of writing a children’s book to explain the disease in an engaging and age-appropriate way.

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Friends of Karen Mom Explains Sickle Cell Disease in her new Children’s Book, Just Like the Moon

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about sickle cell disease (SCD), a lifelong inherited blood disorder affecting millions worldwide, and the importance of support for those living with the condition. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. Friends of Karen is proud to provide emotional support and illness education to children diagnosed with SCD, their siblings and families. 

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention, and this phrase rings true with one extraordinary Friends of Karen family. Looking for resources to support her daughter, Alessia who was diagnosed with SCD, Maite Rodriguez dreamed of writing a children’s book to explain the disease in an engaging and age-appropriate way. With creativity, collaboration and determination, this dream has come to fruition as the beautiful book Just Like the Moon has been published. We honor Maite for her advocacy and generosity in creating a resource that not only her own daughter will benefit from, but many other children as well. We invite you to read the description of the book below and share links for purchase at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. 

Just Like the Moon is a tender illustrated story told by Zoe, a six-year-old girl who skates through flowers and dreams, and lives with sickle cell anemia. In her world, blood cells are shaped like crescent moons, hospital visits become secret missions, and hope glows like a full moon in a dark sky.

With sweetness and truth, this story gently guides the reader through the experience of chronic illness, while celebrating the magic of being different, the strength of childhood, and the comfort found in love and community.

Just Like the Moon is an invitation to see with empathy, to understand with the heart, and to discover that—even in the face of challenges—every child shines in their own way.

Just Like the Moon is available at:

Walmart.com

Barnesandnoble.com

Amazon.com

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