Voices

“It’s important to give these kids the feeling that they’re not alone, that they’re not the only ones who are going through what they’re going through. But it’s just as important to let them explore a world where they can forget about being sick, where their age or appearance or physical condition just doesn’t matter.”

--Cathie Knapp, whose son Danny benefited from online resources before his death

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“We have seen children and their families benefit in many ways. However, reading a good book, singing songs or drawing with children might also be very beneficial. One of the reasons we are doing research is to assess the value of this very special but expensive resource.”

--Dr. Melvin Marks, administrator for Miller Children’s Hospital

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“She e-mails me all the time with blooming flowers and dancing penguins just to wish me a happy day. Can you believe it, this kid telling me to have a good day?”

--Tracy Lyou, a nurse with the Landon Pediatric Foundation

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“We all kind of lived through the ups and downs with Steve and Cathie. I think this is a great idea. To me, the cost is insignificant when it comes to the happiness of a child.”

--John Yamashiro, Wilsey Bennett co-president

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“I can’t sleep at night because I want to get a computer in there so badly. I just think it’s a wonderful thing to do. It really gives you hope for what you can do for some of these kids.”

--Glennetta Berthelson, who persuaded fellow club members to adopt it as their fund-raising project this year.

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“It took so much courage for her to do that [for Dulce Magana to dance with her father Jose Magana]. She’s just an awesome kid.”

--Dee Johnston, a nurse with the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Assn.