In 1999, my dad, James Cogswell, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney cancer. I was only three years old, completely unaware of the difficult journey ahead. Our family moved from Manila to Vancouver, Seattle, and Bethesda, Maryland for various treatments and eventually, as a last resort, a clinical trail. He fought the battle for 11 months and passed away five days after his 38th birthday.

My mom was suddenly faced with raising a 3-year-old and a 2-year-old on her own. Her strength and resilience were remarkable, and she provided us with a loving and supportive upbringing despite the overwhelming challenges.

Growing up, I wished for my dad to come back every birthday, Christmas, and nighttime prayer. The feelings of sadness, loss, emptiness, loneliness, and even hope were hard to understand as a child. While my love for my mom and sister grew stronger, a part of me always felt missing.

Grief Encounter is an organization dedicated to helping young children, like me, cope with the loss of a loved one. They offer invaluable resources such as Mr. Good Grief Teddy Bear, which has a pocket for wishes and memories and a handkerchief for tears. They also provide a residential weekend camp for families to bond with others in similar situations and offer 1:1 counselling sessions.

Your donation can make a significant difference in the lives of grieving children. By supporting Grief Encounter, you help provide the essential resources and support these children's need to navigate their grief and find hope for the future.

Thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can honor my dad's memory by helping others through their difficult times.