Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Mom Adopts All 4 Of Her Best Friend’s Daughters After She Died Of Brain Cancer
User submission
79.1K
245.4K

Mom Adopts All 4 Of Her Best Friend’s Daughters After She Died Of Brain Cancer

ADVERTISEMENT

When Elizabeth Diamond was diagnosed with stage-four brain cancer in August 2014, she was worried about what might happen if she died. Her best friend Laura Ruffino, whom she had known since 5th grade, promised to adopt the girls if anything were to happen – and when Diamond, a single mother, passed away in April 2015, Ruffino fulfilled her promise.

Now, Ruffino’s family of 4 (along with her husband and two daughters) has doubled in size, and the local community in Orchard Park, NY is coming together to help them out. A YouCaring campaign has already raised more than $80,000 to help the Ruffino-Diamond family readjust.

More info: wkbw.com | YouCaring

Laura Ruffino promised to adopt her best friend’s daughters if she died of brain cancer

Unfortunately, Eleizabeth Diamond passed away in April 2015, leaving behind her 4 wonderful girls

Luckily, they’ve been adopted by the Ruffino-Diamond family, which has now doubled in size!

“She said if anything ever happens to me I want you to take my girls and I instantly said ok”

ADVERTISEMENT

“As she started to weaken you can imagine the fears that I had for the girls and being without her.”

“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”

The Ruffinos have done everything they can to make the girls feel welcome!

ADVERTISEMENT

Diamond was a caring soul, writing books about wellness and founding a non-profit wellness center

Even the local community has pitched in to help out

ADVERTISEMENT

A YouCaring campaign has already raised more than $80,000 to help them adjust to a family that’s twice as big!

245Kviews

Share on Facebook
Dovas

Dovas

Author, Community member

Read more »

There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

Read less »
Dovas

Dovas

Author, Community member

There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
DeniseCluney
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it takes a true heart to care for someones children even if they were best friends and the friend has a heart of gold she cool in my book

AnaLucíaHernándezMijares
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we should also applause this woman's husband. He is into this too. I think it was an ever bigger commitment for him since he didn't have a relationship as strong as both friends so naturally it would be a bit more difficult to get into this ship. Best wishes to the whole family.

SelinaJones
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how now the father wants them back. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the money raised.http://m.nydailynews.com/new-york/estranged-dad-fight-kids-mom-friend-article-1.2302676

JulieVesovic
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW that is just amazing of them to adopt them all to stay together......The world needs a lot more love like this.

saman.y
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ah thanks for posting this it's was very nice of you god bless you and those 4 little Angels i hope their mother Rest in peace god bless cya

AmandaCariker
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an awesome person! This bring tears to my eyes thinking about what these kids have been through, but to have someone like this mother taking all four of them into a house already is amazing! good luck to the family! <3

GlynisLailann
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Laura Ruffino and her family are heroes to take these girls on, but what of the grandparents and father?

AmyMcBride
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there needs to be more stories like this, so many people, like this family, are doing amazing things!

TamaraFoster
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was fortunate to have such a devoted and compassionate friend

ChingZhang
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

awww dats so sweet my mom always says im a handful and i think, after youve gone trough someting like dis, you become truly immersed in ur life

MimiRose
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a heartwarming story, I'm so glad it has a happy ending, may God Bless them all!

ElizabethMolloy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am crying. Bless them for taking on these girls. They are wonderful people and I wish them all the best for the future x

Rhon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a lovely family. Elizabeth will be always remembered by her girls.

DeniseCluney
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it takes a true heart to care for someones children even if they were best friends and the friend has a heart of gold she cool in my book

AnaLucíaHernándezMijares
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we should also applause this woman's husband. He is into this too. I think it was an ever bigger commitment for him since he didn't have a relationship as strong as both friends so naturally it would be a bit more difficult to get into this ship. Best wishes to the whole family.

SelinaJones
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how now the father wants them back. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the money raised.http://m.nydailynews.com/new-york/estranged-dad-fight-kids-mom-friend-article-1.2302676

JulieVesovic
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW that is just amazing of them to adopt them all to stay together......The world needs a lot more love like this.

saman.y
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ah thanks for posting this it's was very nice of you god bless you and those 4 little Angels i hope their mother Rest in peace god bless cya

AmandaCariker
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an awesome person! This bring tears to my eyes thinking about what these kids have been through, but to have someone like this mother taking all four of them into a house already is amazing! good luck to the family! <3

GlynisLailann
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Laura Ruffino and her family are heroes to take these girls on, but what of the grandparents and father?

AmyMcBride
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there needs to be more stories like this, so many people, like this family, are doing amazing things!

TamaraFoster
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was fortunate to have such a devoted and compassionate friend

ChingZhang
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

awww dats so sweet my mom always says im a handful and i think, after youve gone trough someting like dis, you become truly immersed in ur life

MimiRose
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a heartwarming story, I'm so glad it has a happy ending, may God Bless them all!

ElizabethMolloy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am crying. Bless them for taking on these girls. They are wonderful people and I wish them all the best for the future x

Rhon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a lovely family. Elizabeth will be always remembered by her girls.

Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda