Laura Ruffino made a promise to her lifelong friend Elizabeth Diamond and adopt her four daughters after she died of cancer.
Laura Ruffino and Elizabeth Diamond have been friends since fifth grade. In August last year, Elizabeth received terrible news – brain cancer of stage 4. As a single mother of four girls, she had great fears for the future of her loved ones. In those moments, she asked her friend Laura to continue to care for the girls if she fails to beat the disease.When Elizabeth asked Laura to take her four daughters if anything ever happened to her, Laura instantly said OK.
In April, Ruffino fulfilled this vow. She and her husband, Rico — who have two daughters of their own — adopted Diamond’s four daughter, aged between 5 and 12, after their mom’s death.
Laura and Rico with the 6 girls
“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-TV.
The great kindness of this couple woke up the humanity. So far more than $ 40,000 has been raised to help this 8-members family.
“This family is doing EVERYTHING in their power to make the Diamond daughters feel loved and part of the family,” the YouCaring campaign says. “It is the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. The marriage of both families is a true testament to humanity. The family has trouble asking for help because they have always been so self-sufficient, but it takes a village to raise a child.”