Shown in the photo, children’s author Patrice Mary Shown in the photo, the author asked her audience - Domozych displayed illustrations from her book, created Bellew Elementary School students in West Islip - to point by Splashes of Hope volunteer artists. out a drawing of the book’s main character, Lauren, in one of the many colorful illustrations. Children’s author Patrice Mary Domozych didn’t plan to be a writer; her profession is teaching. But when her niece, Lauren, was diagnosed with brain tumors as a toddler, she broadened her horizon, along with her hopes for a cure, by writing a story that is helping other youngsters living with pediatric cancer.

Thebook, Hope is Here to Stay, is full of just that – hope, as well as the family’s determination to help others with this life-threatening illness. Proceeds from the book go directly to a non-profit organization founded by Lauren’s parents, called Lauren’s First and Goal Football Camp. Domozych’s visit to the West Islip’s Bellew School tied in with a fifth grader there who has also been diagnosed with pediatric cancer. That child wanted to publicly thank his schoolmates, Principal Dan Hunter, and the West Islip community for their support and friendship.

In the book, Domozych penned, “Lauren, her sister, her Mom and her Dad, see lots of sick kids, some who are sad. They thought to themselves, what can we do to help? And designed a plan that wasn’t half bad. They pondered and wondered, imagined and dreamed. You see, Lauren’s Dad coaches a football team.”

The football camp, a one day instructional clinic for high school football players, is taught by experienced Division I, II and III college coaches, and as of June, 2009, raised nearly $800,000 in the fight against pediatric cancer. It has become the largest one day football camp in the nation. Hosted by Lafayette College since 2004, more than 1,725 high school student athletes attended the camp last year, staffed by more than 250 college coaches. The 2010 camp will be held on June 6.

Despite all she’s been through, Lauren Evelyn Loose is a happy and enthusiastic child. Now 12, her courage and resiliency are an inspiration to all who have the pleasure to know her, as well as those who have read her story. Hope is Here to Stay can be purchased online at www.amazon. com and www.booksurge.com .