The cancer world can be a very scary and feel like a world that you live alone in. There are times when you feel like nobody else understands the pain that you are experiencing. It was two and a half years ago when I set by myself next to my little two-and-a-half-year-old son Darrien and was given the horrible movies that he had a very rare and terminal cancer. They were the worst words that I have ever heard and my world came to a crashing halt. I remember holding him as we said in the hospital trying to find a treatment and wondering what we were going to do. We had a very large family and we have many children at home while I sat with my son at the hospital. It was at that time but a lovely lady named Mary came into my room and I just me to light of the world. I all the sudden did not feel so alone and you thought there were others out there that are feeling the same way as I was and fighting the same fight. So a lot of the other mothers we have a son fighting the exact same cancer as mine it did not matter. We were a family and they were there to help me through whatever they could. They Have been there to help us financially when we were in need and to give us opportunities to make memories that we may never have a chance to make again.Can change what you were going through if there are people they can help you through it and maybe lighten the load just a little. Light of the world Foundation has been there for us help your spine does other mothers give us that emotional support needed. When you're faced with the cancer world and your little one is fighting for his life every moment, every memory, and every bit of support makes a world of difference. We are so grateful to have a lot of the world and all of those involved in our lives.
Not enough words can explain how Amazing This foundation was a blessing in our lives. Our daughter Dayna was diagnosed at 4 with Leukemia ALL, Cancer on March 2014. In october 2014, Dayna stayes in the hospital for 2 months, then When difficult financial days came, Light of the world helped us by gifting Dayna with a Gift Box Full of suprises & helped us financially to help us pay for rent & bills.
I couldnt be any more greatful for a great foundation who up to now have cared about our daughter & always have been soo kind!
Thank you light of the world!!
My daughter was diagnosed in January 2015. Those 4 words (Your child has cancer) shattered our world. Immediately after diagnosis, was more surgeries and chemo. Everyday was a blur and trying to adjust to this "NEW" normal was not easy. My job let me go soon after her diagnosis, so we were left with just 1 income. When you live off 2 paychecks, and then are handed this news that is now costing more than what you earned, it's just added stress. We do not have any family here either which also made it hard to keep up with all of the appointments & then school, the household & my husbands job. We went to a fundraiser that was held by the Oncology clinic and it was overwhelming! We were among other families facing the same struggles. This is where I met Mary Ricciardi. She was a breath of fresh air. So loving and caring and a big smile that lit up the room. She gave me a "Comfy Cooler" and listened to my situation. This cooler was packed with things that I would be using but had no idea at the time just how important those items were! Shortly after our meeting, she came by to our home and brought a "Blessing Box" for my daughter. The smile that this box brought to my daughters face melted my heart. It was so nice to see my little girl smile even though she wasn't feeling very good. In addition to this gift, LOTW also provides money to families in need. Every little bit helps and to receive this gift made me cry. I cannot thank this organization enough for all of the help they have provided. NOT just the gifts, but the group itself. I had a place I could go to that allowed me to share my thoughts & feeling with other cancer moms and it helped to know I was not alone. Mary has created an amazing organization & I am blessed to call her a friend.
Light of the World was created to meet the needs of families facing their hardest battle. To walk with them through that battle and provide not just for monetary or physical needs, but emotional and spiritual needs as well. It has been a privilege and honor to volunteer for this organization, to visit families in the hospital, drop off "comfort coolers", watch children's faces light up over toys received, and to be able to pray over the families and in some small way, encourage them. Light of the World has been integral in shedding light on childhood cancer, bringing awareness to the community, and pushing for more research for the kids and families facing childhood cancer. This organization is a tremendous blessing to the families, volunteers, and community wide.
Light of the world Is one of a kind and a very unique foundation. Light of the world offers financial assistance, emotional support and provides a close community of other families going through the battle of childhood cancer. Through the financial grant it helps with costs occurred while your child is going through treatment, light of the world provides blessing boxes for the siblings who often feel pushed aside while their parents are desperately helping their other child go through treatment. Light of the world provides comfort coolers to families newly diagnosed, in these cookers you will find all the essentials to get you by during the initial diagnosis and treatment. Light of the world is very unique because it is faith based and offers prayers and spiritual grounding which is important during this battle, providing guidance and prayers from others who are either still fighting in this battle with their kids, or once were, is important because you can only truly understand if you've had a child diagnosed with cancer. My family and son who was diagnosed at 2yrs old with childhood cancer is blessed to have community and support from light of the world. It's more than just a foundation it's a family!!!
Light of the World CCF reached out to our family in our darkest hour of need. They provided financial support when we were forced out of state for cancer treatment to save our son. They also provide a space for parents to meet each other and talk about their journeys. We are so grateful for this organization and what they do for our local childhood cancer community.
Light of the World Childhood Cancer Foundation has allowed my family to be involved in our community, growing our faith, connecting us to families we would otherwise never know, and encouraging us to make a difference locally in Las Vegas. We are grateful for a foundation that puts the needs of families first!
My son Jacob was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia on September 21, 2011. Jacob had to endure 3 years of chemotherapy. Light of the World foundation was there during our darkest time, financially and emotionally. It felt good to have someone in the same situation as our family to talk to and that was going through the same emotions as we were. I am forever grateful for Mary and her organization for being there!
My son Benji was Diagnosed with Brain Cancer in Nov. 2014, LOTW stepped in at a time my world felt as if it was closing in on us.
The Founder Mary not only Surprised us with a Financial Grant but had bags of Gifts for my Child and his 3 Siblings. The smiles she brought that day tuned the darkness into Love & Hope. This is something you can Not do alone. The Support was not just a one day meet & greet its beyond a Friendship, Prayer support, Financial support. Being able to see someone, a stranger put smiles on my children's face is priceless. These moments last and to this day we are all connected. LOTW has made a Community for the Childhood Cancer local families and we are Truly Grateful for this Amazing Support. This is a different level of support that is just so Personally there for your Family. I have been truly Blessed to have LOTW walk this journey with me. I can't imagine doing this alone with out the LOTW, Mary and all the Amazing Families in this Childhood Cancer Community.
LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THE FAMILIES OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO FIND THEMSELVES SUDDENLY OVERWHELMED WITH A DIAGNOSIS THEY WERE NOT PREPARED TO RECEIVE ABOUT THEIR PRECIOUS CHILD. FOUNDER, MARY RICCIARDI, EXTENDS AN EMPATHETIC EAR AS SHE HERSELF HAS WALKED IN THOSE SHOES. SHE PROVIDES A LIGHT THAT SHINES THE PATH THAT STARTS THEIR JOURNEY, BY PROVIDING COMMUNITY RESOURCES, CARE PACKAGES AND GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN, AND FINANCIAL HELP WITH HER FOUNDATION. 100% OF FUNDS GO TO THOSE IN NEED AS HER ORGANIZATION IS GUIDED BY AMAZING VOLUNTEERS. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO STRONGLY CONSIDER PUTTING LIGHT OF THE WORLD CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION, INC. ON YOUR LIST OF TO DO'S, AND YOUR CHARITABLE DONATIONS ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE...YOU CAN SIGN TOBE A MONTHLY DONOR SO HER FOUNDATION MAY CONTINUE TO" BRING LIGHT TOTHE FIGHT" OF OUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSET, OUR CHILDREN...
I love to see the strong community that has been built of warrior moms and their families who are walking through the darkest battle with their child. LOTW is truly bringing light to the fight against childhood cancer. I'm humbled by all that God has done and continues to do to help families in the midst of the battle who are affected by childhood cancer in Southern Nevada. It's truly a blessing to love on these brave warrior mama's and their precious children.
When my oldest daughter was diagnosed in 2013 I didn't know where to go or who to turn to. That's until I meet Mary from Light of The World. Not only did they help us financially during the storm but they lived on us the way Jesus would. She introduced me as a mom to an amazing group of warrior mom's who are now some of my closest friends. We help each other through this battle to save our children and each other's children. Many late night prayers, advice on medicines and when to call the doctor if my daughter's fever was to high. I wouldn't know what to do without them. My daughter is now in remission and on her way to being as while again as she can be after cancer. Every new mom I meet I tell them about everything Light of The World has done for us and about the amazing warrior mom group I'm so proud to be apart of. An none of this would be possible without them.
Light of the World has been such a blessing to so many families who are dealing with a diagnosis that no parent wants to hear. While they are in the midst of trying to understand everything that is happens, LOTW steps in to those newly diagnosed patients and gifts them with supplies that they have no idea they need. LOTW helps out financially as well. This non profit organization is a blessing to many.
I have never seen a more caring, quick to jump into action, and more efficient group. The minute they get notice that a child had been diagnosed with cancer they are sending volunteers to the hospital to help these families. I have been volunteering with them since 2013 and I am truly honored to be a part of this organization.