When I visit these children in hospitals and their homes I can see in their faces and their parents faces the fear and uncertainty of the future. After a while , the mood seems to change when they start listening to my story with my battle with stage 4B Cancer and my long road. I tell the kids that you will be in my shoes one day and always, always think positive and know they have just met their new friend. And that would be me. I love my role on this wonderful Foundation. Frankie always said thank you when I visited him while he was sick and I always told him no need to thank me, just help another cancer patient when you can. Well, he is doing just that in spirit, hundreds of kids are being helped in so many ways. This Foundation is not only a group that helps , it is made up of a group of people who at first learn about a new sick child and in fact are strangers and turn it into helping a child who becomes part of our family - Try to find the positive in the negative / something that I try to do all the time and this Foundation and this beautiful mom who lost her son and formed this great foundation makes finding the positive a bit easier by putting smiles on these kids faces and their moms and dads as well.
I became familiar with this organization through their Frankie's Heoes program. They chose my daughter to be a receipient of this award. What wonderful ladies Camille Loccisano and Lucy Bruno are. They are both very caring and compasionate women.
Our family was completely blown-away when we attended the award ceremony for the 2013 Frankie's Heroes by the inspirational stories and the chartiable works many of these children and young adults have done.
It is so inspiring that they take the time to recognize the good the future leaders of our communities are doing when so many of today's children do not have proper guidance and all to often make poor decisions and choices.
I am co-founder if this wonderful organization. Francesco "Frankie" was my nephew. I was by his side for the most 27 challenging months of his life. It was "his" wish to start a foundation when he became well to help children struggling with pediatric cancer.
With an amazing board of directors, countless people and businesses who have supported the foundation, volunteers and interns, we have made Frankie's wish come true. We directly help families who are challenged with a sick child.
To see all of the support that the foundation continues to receive and to help so many families is a rewarding experience.
As a pioneer board member I have watched this orangization grow and provide many many familes the financial support, emotional support, and positive attiude support that all families need when they are told those 4 words that no one wants to hear,"Your child has CANCER."
Just this past week my 88 year old dad was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma. My fellow board members help me within hours to get my dad into Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital. Their willingness to help my family with their love and prayers is priceless. Frankie's Mission is an organization that lives up to our motto"Frankie's word, " Just help them, MOM." and we DO.
Linda Mollo-Holmes