The Luca John Foundation

The Luca John Foundation is a truly amazing organization that makes a profound difference in the lives of loss families. Nobody expects to lose their infant. The expectation is that one gets pregnant and 9-months later they give birth to a beautiful baby that will fill their live's with joy for many years to come. Unfortunately, for too many that is not the case, and when that loss happens families are completely unprepared and often need both financial assistance and emotional support. In that moment of crisis and heartbreak, The Luca John Foundation is there to aid these families in what may possibly be the most devastating time in their lives. Thus, I'm truly honored to work with this heroic organization as its Lead Family Support Counselor. I'm a social worker who lost my infant son 11-1/2 years-ago, and working with LJF allows me to use my education and expertise in a way that gives my son's life meaning and purpose while hopefully making a difference in the lives of others impacted by infant loss.

I cannot thank The Luca John Foundation enough. When my daughter was stillborn the hospital gave us their information and we reached out in hopes they could help us with her memorial service expenses. I was helped through email by a Liv Damski and she was so helpful and was very fast with her replies. I'm sure she probably got tired of me saying thank you and reaching out so many times as there were a few hiccups in the process. I am eternally grateful and thankful for them helping us through the absolute hardest time in our lives and helping us honor our sweet baby girl Scylla Virginia Hilliard.

Volunteering with the Luca John Foundation was one of the best decisions I have made. Being able to help families is so rewarding, and what this foundation offers is so very needed.

The Luca John Foundation is such an amazing nonprofit! You can tell that everyone is so passionate about their mission, and do their best to help impacted families of skeletal dysplasia. The LJF strives to make an impact on the community in a positive way and has been exceeding those expectations.

When I lost my son Micah Eli at full term, my world crumbled. How would I ever deal with this loss? Let alone, having a burial and finding a headstone for my son. However, at the hosptial I was placed in touch with the Luca John Foundation who helped me and my family acquire a beautiful headstone for my son. I was so grateful for what they were able to do for us and by the looks of it, for so many other amazing families who have shared in a similar situation. This gave us such peace of mind. THANK YOU!

The Luca John Foundation has been a great asset to families across the US. Parents who are struggling to cope with the loss of an infant have the support and encouragement they need in a safe and loving environment.

To read the story of Luca John or to find out more about the Luca John Foundation go to www.lucajohnfoundation.com

Supporting my friend, Jessica, who gave birth five years ago to beautiful Isabella. Isabella left this world shortly after her birth, yet her spirit lives on. I was unable to make it to Isabella's celebration today, but wanted to show my love to Jessica and other families who have lost a child.

I found the Luca John foundation to be very helpful. They are very nice and actually took the time to learn my son's story. It is nice to have support from those who understand our family's grief.

By volunteering for the Luca John Foundation, I have learned so much about the kindness and compassion that exists within the hearts of people. I know that those who are a part of the foundation give all that they can to help families who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of an infant. This is why the Luca John Foundation goes beyond the expectation of serving as only a source of funds for those in need, it is comprised of people who are a friend to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a hand to hold. My heart goes out to every one of the families I have served; I hope that the small time we shared together, however solemn it might have been, helps families on their path to healing.

I have worked with Luca John Foundation for over a year and have had the opportunity to take part in the incredible work they do for families in their worst time. I am so grateful to be able to witness how the foundation alleviates some of the stress that comes from such a trying time.

Seeing how our foundation has grown over the past 8 years makes me so proud to call Luca my son!!!!! He has helped so many families and it makes my heart so happy!!!

I started off looking for a foundation to help my great cousin get a headstone, since me losing my only child I knew how important this was to me and after going on so many years of neither parent being able to purchase one I did the research and started off with tears which led me to The Lucas John foundation. Well my life turned for the worse and I have yet been in a state to let me start the process again but thanks to Laura who works for them and to Kevin who was so concered about me. They have tslking their time to check up on me knowing losing a child is the hardest thing anyone can go through. I know longer wanted to live and thousands of miles away they made sure I was safe. So to me I started off busting my butt off so Tyler can get a headstone (which I had to put on hold) to me finding to people that actually put everything aside to say they care. If I could give them 10 stars I would. Thanks from the bottom of my heart Laura,Kevin and the Lucas John Foundation.

Luca was my grandson, so I've been involved with the foundation from the beginning. I have seen first hand how we have helped families bury their beautiful little angels with grace and dignity. Without the Foundations help that would not have been a possibility.

I am writing in behalf of a young couple that are very dear to me. They lost their infant son and needed assistance. God bless you for your work in helping this young couple and others like them.

I'm writing on behalf of a friend who tragically lost her infant son and found great support through this organization. It is because of you that she was able to fulfill certain desires for her sons burial. I haven't experienced such a loss, but I admire anyone who lends a helping hand to those in need. I appreciate your compassion for the hurting and broken. God bless!

I selected the option "client served" , as it was the best that suited my needs! It was actually my sister that inquired. With that said, I want to thank LJF for the help they provided. She had searched high and low to find assistance with other groups....they all failed. NOBODY anticipates something like this happening to their child, therefore you don't plan for it! It is a bittersweet moment and again thank you for your help.

I want to thank you for helping people in need...and for helping my family through some hard times...thanks

The Luca John Foundation has made my dreams of a headstone for my son, Dane Jr. come true. I filled out the application for assistance and literally received a phone call from them in less than 48 hours! I searched high and low and every foundation and non-profit organization you can think of, top named ones mind you and no one, not even these big name foundations would/could help me. Why? Simply because my son is laid to rest in a state that they don't help with. I was crushed to say the least, then I found the Luca John Foundation and was biting my nails waiting for the reply to be the same as the others... It was not! LJF has been so incredibly helpful, compassionate and did not care what state my son was in, they just wanted to help. Kevin even asked me how I was doing and coping when he called me, I was and still am in awe. I can't thank the Luca John Foundation enough. My son's headstone is gorgeous and far exceeded my expectations.
Let me lastly just name a few words to describe LJF. Helpful, kind, compassionate, hard-working, supportive, amazing and loving.
Thank you Luca John Foundation for all you have done for me, my family and most of all helping us honor and memorialize my son. I am over joyed God led me to your website!

The Luca John Foundation is an inspiring organization. The support both emotionally and financially available to the families is blessing. I have had the opportunity to donate and participate in their fundraising efforts. A wonderful organization and a wonderful cause.

My daughter recently had a baby girl and unfortunately she was diagnosed with hydrocephaly. Jah'nai was only born with a brain stem and passed away a month later. My daughter is a teenager and I am unemployed at the present. We couldn't have any life insurance put on her because of her age and conditions. In communication with the funeral home they told me about the Luca-John foundation. Kevin is a very compassionate man and understood the troubles I was having in trying to provide the best burial for my granddaughter. After speaking with Kevin he MADE SURE that he told me about the foundation and what it stands for. I was so thankful and grateful that the foundation was able to pay for my granddaughters burial. I truly thank the foundation for their support.

I was pregnant with twins and lost my son while on bedrest. Since I was out of work we couldn't afford a headstone for our son. I heard about the Luca John Foundation and I wrote them a letter explaining out problem and the head of the organization called me after he read the letter and listened to me cry and then he assured me that they would help us get a headstone for my sone, and he told me that my family was now part of the Luca John family.....I can't express how much that meant to me.

Wow, I don't know if I can put into words, how much Luca John helped our family. We were devastated to find out I was going to lose my first grand daughter, our hearts were broken. I reached out to anyone and everyone that would listen about anything regarding my grand daughters illness. Lethal Skeletal Dysplasia.
It is such a rare disease. The Luca John Foundation reached out to me and my daughter and gave us answers to so many unknown questions. When my daughters boyfriend found out that the baby was not going to survive he left her alone to deal with this tragedy. She was a single mom of a little boy at the time and knowing carrying this baby to term could kill her, she continued but could hardly work. The Luca John Foundation kept in contact with her and followed her condition, and after care. They also took care of getting our precious little angel a head stone she probably still wouldn't be able to have. My hearts and prayers go out to them and all the families they have helped and hopefully will continue to help. God Bless them

If it wasn't for the Luca John Foundation we would not have a headstone for our precious babies, a source for emotional support from families in similar situations, or hope; the Luca John Foundation supports the research for fatal, skeletal deformities, like SRPS. We are truly grateful and blessed to be associated with such a stellar organization. ~Katie T.

The Luca John Foundation was a critical partner for us while we were going through significant medial struggles with my son. They were able to provide valuable information and contacts during the most difficult time in our life. They were a great comfort and an extremely helpful resource.

My dear friends lost a baby in the 7th month of gestation. They had to go through the pain of delivering the child, knowing it would be stillborn. Amid this grief, as I was helping them plan the funeral and figure out ways to cover all the costs, the hospital helped us discover the Luca John Foundation. No sooner had the couple applied to the Foundation for assistance, they received a call the very next day from the founder himself, Kevin. He provided some much-needed funds, as well as emotional support, and we are thanking God for his assistance. God bless you, Kevin and your family, that out of such a great loss as you experienced yourself, you found a way to help others.

The Luca John Foundation is amazing and helpful , very compassionate and supportive .
On August 19 ,20013 at 8:41 am , I gave birth to my beautiful daughter , Zipporah Elizabeth Ellie Jackson . she was so beautiful and peaceful , still in misbelieve , my baby is stillborn , hoping that she would open her eyes or show some type of movement . she was gone, not forever but until we meet again , into the arms of her creator , her real father. the pain we felt ran so deep , wishing and hoping its all a dream .
After the death of our child , we prayed and ask God to help us to give our baby girl a beautiful burial . because we did not want cremation and this was all unexpected and can be very costly .then we received , The Luca John Foundation , information from the Tampa General Hospital . then we contact the foundation and told them our story , and they were so compassionated and supportive . the next day I receive a call from Kevin , the father of Luca John and he told us his story. then I realized why the foundation was so compassionated and supportive , of families like mines who as loss a infant or a child . The Luca John Foundation , gave my daughter a beautiful burial , a place where I can go and sit and talk with my baby , it gave me some peace. I thank the foundation for being very supportive and loving towards me and my husband ,
Before the death of my baby girl , I did not know about the foundation but now I am a voice for them where ever I go , because they are for families in pain , that as loss a child or an infant. my life is forever change because of Luca John , Thank you

Our family has donated to this foundation annually because it is such a worthy cause. Before the Baronowskis lost Luca, I was blissfully ignorant of the high cost of burying even the tiniest of babies and never gave a thought to what families without resources would do. The Luca John Foundation serves families when they are at their most vulnerable - emotionally devastated and without the financial resources to bury their precious children properly. This foundation identified and filled a much needed void, through their own personal tragedy, which is what allows them to help other families in such an emphatic and caring manner.

The Luca John Foundation is an amazing organization. The money raised helps support families who lose their infants and also in research. I have had the opportunity to donate and participate in multiple Golf Outings, all of which have been professionaly run and very inviting.

Being a part of the Luca John Foundation since it began, I have seen and participated in the support of families that are experiencing tragedy in their lives due to the sudden (and often time) unexpected loss of a child. Helping families deal with this grief, and enabling the memorializing of the lost child with dignity, is in my mind a great "ministry" to be a part of. I intend tio continue to further dedicate my time and resources to growing this great foundation.

I submitted an application on behalf of a family in my church that lost their triplets due to being premature at 21 weeks. This was very difficult for the family because they never imagined losing all 3 children. Within 24 hrs of receiving the information, a representative (Mr. Baranowski) from the John Luca Foundation began to review the application. Although the family was patiently waiting for their approval, the simple response gave them a since of hope because someone saw the urgency of the situation. A few days later the complete requested amount was approved and the Foundation covered the entire funeral costs! This was such a blessing and relief for the family.

I have had the honor and privilege to support the Luca John Foundation in the Seattle area as an active Advocate Volunteer from 2009-2012. In that brief time, I saw first-hand the difference the Luca John Foundation’s presence has made in the Pacific NW. Partnering with Seattle Children’s Skeletal Dysplasia clinics the Luca John Foundation was able to touch the lives of children, parents and yes even Doctors. The Luca John foundation has had the unique opportunity to support families that live with some form of skeletal dysplasia; raising money for research, providing useful tools and nurturing the spirits of ones living with skeletal dysplasia The Luca John Foundation hosted local fundraisers in Seattle to foster research, supported the weekly Skeletal Dysplasia clinics at Seattle Children’s with donating books, toys and of course “immeasurable time” to love on those “Kiddos.”
The Luca John Foundation clearly lives their mission; to support families that have experienced an immeasurable loss of a child with emotional and financial support. Through the foundation’s support; families have the ability to navigate more comfortably through “their” tragedy knowing they aren’t alone. The Luca John Foundation provides a nurturing network that supports and surrounds families with hope and coping tools to move forward.

Tamara Horine
Advocate Volunteer

I am Lucas Aunt and miss him everyday, but I am so greatful for what he has been able to provide for so many families. He has made such an impact on my life and the life of so many!!!

The Luca John Foundation is a wonderful. In 2009 My son Marcus Jr was diagnosed with leukemia. He was only 3 months old, a few short days after diagnosis he passed away. I had no idea of how i was going to pay for his funeral. My aunt contacted The Luca John foundation and told Mr. Baranowski of how I lost my son and his foundation paid for my son's funeral! It's been 2 years since he has passed away and i still do not have him a grave markers due to i have 4 children and no extra money to buy one and now The Luca John foundation is going to pay for my son's marker. Without this foundation I don't know what I would have done! they help families that have lost a child unexpectedly and cannot afford the cost of a funeral!

I could not thank the Luca John Foundation enough for all that they have done. We lost our baby girl to a birth defect called Acrania back in April 2009 and it was the hardest thing me and my family have went through. The foundation paid all funeral expenses in full so that we could have a proper burial for Savannah. They are like family to us. Still to this day they keep in touch with us. They were very understanding and caring and there for me through the whole tragedy. I dont know what we would have done without their help. The Luca John Foundation is wonderful!