I just posted over on Kimchi Mamas about Harrison Leonardo, a three-year-old who was fighting leukemia, and Elyse Yu, a six-month-old triplet fighting a rare blood disorder. Through Rice Daddies, I learned the very sad news that Harrison passed away on July 19, 2007. There is still hope for Elyse though. Please read there for more information on how to help, including information on registering to become a donor with the National Marrow Donor Program.

I wrote about Harrison back in February, and also about my high school and college friend, V, who died from leukemia in 1996. Every year at this time, I am reminded of her because her birthday is just a day after mine. Her mom and I email occasionally, and I can still feel her mom’s sadness in her emails. It is palpable and it is painful. I just emailed her mom this past week; I can’t imagine how difficult it is to have V’s birthday come and go without her, no matter how many years have passed.

News of Harrison’s passing broke my heart — never mind that I already had V on my mind. There is an inescapable sadness around a parent who has lost a child, and reading about Harrison’s pain was almost too much to bear. I have only hopeful and positive thoughts for Elyse and her family. And a heart filled with sorrow for Harrison and his.