

(photos clipped from
here)
Four years ago today, my niece had an enucleation. In honor of this day, a post on the coloring book I wrote about this topic.
The EyeCare Foundation publishes and distributes the coloring book,
Joey's Special Eye, that illustrator Rob Harrell and I made. A couple of years after I wrote it, it's still out there. According to the EyeCare Foundation
newsletter, 5000 copies have been distributed all over the world and US (for a nominal fee or free) to children and families affected by retinoblastoma (Rb).
You can read the PDF of
Joey's Special Eye here. My sister Liza bought a hundred copies herself and distributed them to families affected by Rb at Camp Sunshine.
The photos above, proof that people who needed the book had them in their hands, moved me. Those photos were taken in Mexico and now I'm thinking we should have versions in other languages. I'm glad the book is out there and people are reading it, but honestly, writing it made
me feel good.
When J had cancer, so many organizations and people poured out such generosity to us. For example, people at
Songs of Love donated their time and talent to write and record a personalized song for J. We stood around her bed during one of her chemo treatments and cried listening to it. There were all kinds of people who offered comfort and support and resources. I remember when J was diagnosed--it felt as if my family had fallen into a deep, dark hole. We didn't know what the future would bring. Friends, family, and complete strangers offered their hands to lift us out of the hole. It brings me great satisfaction and joy to know that
Joey's Special Eye can offer some comfort and information to families experiencing Rb.
In the newsletter, the EyeCare Foundation writes,
"We will continue to distribute Joey’s Special Eye on request and online as long as supplies last. You can help us continue this wonderful gift by contributing to The EyeCare Foundation. Just let us know that you want your contribution to support this ongoing effort. This opportunity is an opportunity to bring a smile to a child faced with this life-changing albeit life-saving event."
To donate online, click
here or write to The EyeCare Foundation, Inc., 115 East 61 st Street, New York, NY, USA 10065.
By the way, on the theme of ways to respond to tragedy, see
the video story on Songs of Love founder John Beltzer on 60 Minutes.