Community helps with fundraising for family.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: When Elizabeth Diamond discovered she was afflicted with Stage 4 brain cancer in 2014, the single mother was immediately concerned about what would happen to her four young daughters after she was gone, according to the Huffington Post.
Diamond’s best friend, Laura Ruffino of Orchard Park, New York, told WKBW that she made a promise after the cancer diagnosis.
“She said if anything ever happens to me I want you to take my girls and I instantly said okay,†said Ruffino, who has been friends with Diamond for three decades.
After Diamond passed away in April at the age of 40, Ruffino and her husband, Rico — who have two daughters of their own — adopted Diamond’s four kids, Lily, Ella, Samona and Tar, all of whom are aged between 5 and 12.
“Ten years ago I didn’t think this would be my life. But if something gets thrown at you just accept the challenge and do the best you can,†Rico told WKBW.
Much to their surprise, the newly expanded family has received a deluge of support from their immediate community. The Ruffinos have already received donations of a kitchen table with room for four extra people, as well as a larger fridge to accommodate more groceries, reported the Daily Mail.
A fundraising web page has also been set up to help the family by the non-profit group Buffalo Wellness Center – of which Elizabeth was a board member.
“The Ruffino family are receiving no financial child support to accommodate this quick expansion,” the group wrote. “The Ruffino family have always been the type of people to help others in need and now we are asking for help in their quest to provide an amazing life for the 6 daughters they now have.”
At the time of publication, almost $70,000 have been raised by the fundraising campaign.