How the Heartbreaking Loss of One Child Led to a Powerful Support Program for Grieving Kids

In 2019, Jason and Emily Ross found themselves facing a nightmare no parent should ever have to endure—the diagnosis of their 8-year-old daughter, Lily, with an aggressive form of cancer. The months that followed were a blur of hospital visits, chemotherapy treatments, and the constant struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy for their other children. Despite their best efforts to stay strong for Lily, the unthinkable happened—she passed away just before Christmas.

Devastated and lost in grief, the Ross family found themselves not only mourning the loss of their daughter but also realizing that there were few resources available to help children cope with the loss of a loved one or deal with serious illness. While there were plenty of services for grieving adults, there was nothing specifically designed to help kids express their feelings and make sense of their emotions during such a painful time.

Determined to make a difference, Jason and Emily decided to turn their heartbreak into something that could help others. They created Lily’s Light Foundation, a program designed to support kids dealing with grief, loss, and illness. The foundation, which was born out of their pain, quickly became a beacon of hope for many children and families facing similar struggles.

Creating a Space for Healing

Lily’s Light Foundation isn’t just another grief program. It’s a place where children can feel safe expressing themselves, share their fears and sadness, and connect with others who understand their pain. Emily explained, “When Lily passed away, we struggled to find resources for our other children. They were grieving too, but there wasn’t much out there to help them process what they were feeling. We wanted to create a program that would give kids a voice and a safe space to talk about their emotions.”

The foundation offers a variety of programs designed to meet kids where they are emotionally. Younger children engage in art therapy, drawing, and storytelling to help them express feelings that they may not have the words for. For older children, Lily’s Light provides peer support groups where they can connect with others who understand what it’s like to lose someone they love or face a serious illness. By providing these outlets, the foundation helps children develop healthy coping strategies and build resilience during difficult times.

The Healing Power of Creativity

One of the most powerful aspects of Lily’s Light is its focus on creative expression. For Emily and Jason, this was a way to honor Lily’s love of art and creativity. Lily was known for her bright personality and love for drawing and painting, and the couple wanted to ensure that other children could experience the same sense of relief and joy that art brought to their own family during their darkest moments.

Emily shared, “Lily was always drawing, making things, and creating. It was something that made her happy, so it felt right to incorporate that into the program. Art can help kids express things they might not know how to say. It gives them an outlet and helps them process their emotions in a way that feels safe.”

The art and creative activities provided by the foundation serve as a gentle but effective way for children to explore their feelings, process their grief, and communicate what’s going on inside their hearts. It’s a method that has proven to be deeply therapeutic for many kids in the program.

Growing the Foundation to Reach More Kids

Since its inception, Lily’s Light has expanded from a modest, neighborhood-based project to a reputable program that assists kids in other cities. Throughout the year, the foundation offers mourning retreats, support groups, and seminars to provide families a chance to connect, exchange stories, and find solace in one another’s experiences.

The Ross family has never wavered in their dedication to supporting other kids who are coping with sickness or grief. By collaborating with hospitals and medical facilities, Jason and Emily have broadened the foundation’s scope and made sure that children receiving treatment for life-threatening conditions may get the emotional support they require.

Jason said, “When a child is sick or grieving, the emotional toll can be just as overwhelming as the physical one. We wanted to make sure that there was somewhere they could go for comfort and understanding.”

Helping Parents Navigate Their Own Grief

While Lily’s Light is focused on children, Emily and Jason also understand that parents and caregivers need support too. Losing a child or caring for a sick one can leave parents feeling isolated, unsure of how to best support their grieving children while managing their own emotions. That’s why the foundation offers workshops and counseling for parents, providing them with tools and guidance to help them navigate their grief while also supporting their kids through the healing process.

“We had to learn how to support our other children while dealing with our own grief,” Emily explained. “It wasn’t easy, and it’s still an ongoing journey, but we wanted to make sure that parents didn’t feel alone. They need to know that it’s okay to lean on others and ask for help.”

Looking Toward the Future

As the foundation continues to grow, Jason and Emily are focused on reaching even more children and families. They’re working to expand their virtual services, ensuring that children who live in rural areas or who don’t have access to in-person support can still benefit from the foundation’s programs. The goal is for Lily’s Light to become a nationwide resource for children and families who are facing the loss of a loved one or dealing with the challenges of illness.

“We want every child who is grieving or facing illness to know they’re not alone,” Emily said. “Lily’s legacy is about light—hope in the midst of darkness. That’s what we’re trying to provide.”

Through the foundation, Jason and Emily have found a way to honor Lily’s spirit while helping countless other families heal. They’ve turned their pain into something beautiful, creating a program that is not only helping kids cope with grief but also bringing families closer together.