“Forgotten Ones” Given A Voice in the Unforgettable Book: Day By Day

CHILDREN WITH A SERIOUSLY ILL SIBLING TELL THEIR STORIES OF FAITH AND DETERMINATION

New York, NY – Children who have a seriously ill brother or sister are very unique. They share a large part of themselves, each day, with someone who needs more care than they do. Often considered “the forgotten ones,” the book, DAY BY DAY, depicts how siblings of seriously ill or challenged children, through their experience, can learn to embrace the challenges of their exceptional situation, ultimately allowing them to transform into strong, spiritual, and caring people. Often they arrive at insights that can help the whole family grow. By reading their stories, it is clear that most children are not resentful of their experience, but rather grateful for the lessons learned. They are happy to offer advice in order to help others faced with that same situation. They have a very poignant message…if we listen.

Christine Frisbee, whose young son Rich died of leukemia in 1989, was inspired by the strength of her four other children during such a difficult time. She asked them each to write stories about what it was like for them to have a terminally ill brother. Their resilience is the inspiration for the book DAY BY DAY. Mrs. Frisbee began to collect stories from children around the country who had a seriously ill sibling, asking them to share their stories of hope and faith. The stories were then compiled so that children, parents and caregivers could learn from their experiences.

“They are the angels sent to us for knowledge. They are innocent and honest. Through the eyes of children we can see without distortion. It is through listening to children that we learn what we need to hear. Once we hear we must respond so that each child has an opportunity to grow in a healthy way. Through the children’s strength we often find our own strength. We must not shy away from discussion or stay removed from the reality of what is happening.” -Christine Frisbee
It is estimated that between 14 million and 16 million families live with a child who has a chronic illness, yet there is little available to help with the many emotional issues that surround them. The brothers and sisters of seriously ill children watch silently from the sidelines with little assistance from the world. Yet they live lives emotionally way beyond the expectations of normal family existence.

Never put into a book before, in DAY BY DAY, Christine Frisbee gives siblings a voice, allowing them to tell their own stories. We hear their wisdom, courage, anger, isolation, sadness, joy, spiritual growth and acceptance. Each chapter also features Christine’s insights and experience to help families create a deeper understanding. The mission: to bring understanding and hope to families with a seriously ill child as well as to educate others about how to take a difficult situation and use it to make you stronger and wiser.

All proceeds from DAY BY DAY will go to the RICHARD D. FRISBEE, III FOUNDATION (www.frisbeefoundation.org) which was established in 1990 by the Frisbee Family to help support families who are undergoing treatment for childhood and adult cancers and other blood related diseases. Since that time the Foundation has funded programs for families who have a seriously ill child with research, education and direct patient care. Supporters of the book include First Lady Barbara Bush (spokesperson for the foundation), former Mets manager Bobby Valentine (board member), Hank Aaron (honorary board member), Richard Edelson, MD, director Yale Cancer Center, and former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula (honorary board member), among many others.

“Siblings many times are the “silent warriors” in the childhood cancer fight. They deeply feel the joys and pains associated with their family’s journey. Within this book, there are stories from the sibling perspective that demonstrate the great depth of their experience.” - Tracy Moore, LCSW, Director of Support Services, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation

-ENDS-

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christine Frisbee, the third of twelve children, has always been interested in sibling relationships. She and her husband, Rick, have five children. After their second child died of leukemia in 1989, she worked at the Yale School of Medicine with families who were looking for an unrelated donor for a bone marrow transplant. Her experience and work inspired her to write this book. She has interviewed children and professionals in many organizations about the impact that childhood illness has within the family. Christine attended Columbia School of Social Work and has an MBA from the University of Connecticut. She has been chairman of the Richard D. Frisbee, III Foundation since it was founded in 1990. Christine and her husband Rick live in New York City.

ABOUT THE RICHARD D. FRISBEE, III FOUNDATION:
The mission of the Foundation is to support basic and clinical research to further understanding and treatment for childhood and adult cancers and related bone marrow diseases; advance the application of bone marrow and stem cell transplantation for treatment; establish support systems for patients and their families during treatment and provide ongoing educational programs for health care professionals. The Foundation grew over the years and has funded programs that reach beyond our initial mission to include indirect support for siblings of children will all illnesses and their families. For more information on the Richard D. Frisbee, III Foundation, please visit www.frisbeefoundation.org.

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