We often celebrate life’s milestones: birthdays, achievements, dreams coming true, and the passing of the years. But what about children receiving pediatric palliative care who may never have the chance to grow up?
This fall, let’s support these children and their families, who remind us that a life is not measured by the number of years lived, but by precious moments, cherished memories, and, above all, the love we share.
Make a donation today to help them live each moment to the fullest.
We invite you to read the letter Noémie wrote to her son, Louis. It is a love letter to her little boy, but also to all the children who will never grow up… and who leave an unforgettable mark on the hearts of those who love them.
À toi mon enfant qui ne deviendra jamais grand
To my little boy who will never grow up,
I’m writing these words to tell you just how deeply you are loved.
We were so excited to welcome you into our lives. I imagined your dad playing with you for hours, your cousins taking you along on endless adventures, and me teaching you our family’s secret pancake recipe. Then you arrived. With your perfect little cheeks and rosy complexion, all those dreams finally felt within reach. But life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.
After just a few weeks, we knew you were special. Special because even without words, without purposeful movements, without muscle tone or clear vision, you already had a way of lighting up everyone you met.
Most of the diagnoses came, while others are still unknown. At first, we thought the worst had happened to us. But it wasn’t. The hardest part wasn’t the diagnosis. The hardest part was watching you suffer. Watching you cry for hours. Seeing the look in your eyes as if you were asking us for help. The hardest part was feeling completely powerless.
And yet, life has a way of bringing hope when we need it most. While we were living through the unimaginable, something precious also entered our lives. There was Le Phare.
Le Phare gave us the support we so desperately needed. As parents, we could finally catch our breath, knowing you were surrounded by caring, compassionate, and highly skilled people. For the first time, we had help. For the first time, we were no longer alone.
We discovered that even with your illness, you could still experience joy. You could be comfortable. You could feel good. And when you think about it, what more could anyone wish for in a life that is far too short and so different from what we had imagined?
Watching you take part in activities designed just for you, seeing your bright, joyful eyes… those moments are among the greatest gifts we’ve ever received.
Seeing the beautiful bond you’ve built, in your own unique way, with Catherine, the volunteer from Le Phare who comes to play with you at home every week, is something we never would have imagined during those first months of your life.
Between tube feedings, medications, and the countless daily treatments, it’s easy to forget that we’re people too. Thanks to Le Phare, Mom and Dad can sometimes take a moment to breathe. A moment to reconnect, to recharge, and to come back to you with even more strength and love.
That is priceless.
Because of Le Phare, our lives don’t just continue.
We truly get to live them.
Every moment we spend with you, our sweet boy, is the greatest gift life has ever given us. You are the greatest gift we have ever received.
So, we will treasure every moment we are given with you. We will create as many memories as possible and surround you, every single day, with all our love.
With love, always,
Mom and Dad
We can’t add years to these children’s lives. But together, we can fill their days with precious moments, laughter, comfort, and love.
By making a donation today, you are helping families like Louis’s cherish what matters most: the time they have together. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
What if your support could make a difference all year long?
By becoming a monthly donor, you provide ongoing support to families like Louis’s who rely on Le Phare every day. A simple monthly gift helps create more precious moments for children with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones.
Each year, more then half of Le Phare’s funding comes from the generosity of donors like you. Your support allows us to continue providing compassionate care and services to more than 200 families who count on us.
Thank you for standing with us.
