Shira Nezaria was born in 1979, and like most girls, loved to play, do gymnastics, listen to music and be with her friends. She was a real chatterbox, and if you wanted an honest opinion about something, Shira was the person to go to.

In November, 1993, at age 14, Shira was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer, in her knee. Months later, she lost her leg due to the spread of the disease, and in July, 1994, Shira tragically passed away at age 15.

Besides being scary, illness can be a very lonely and isolating experience, especially for children. It’s hard to see your friends doing things that kids do, while you know that you are not well enough to join them. No one wants to be defined by their illness; they just want to be who they are.

Wanting to honor the memory of his sister, Shira, Yair Nezaria and his wife, Danna, formed the Shira Foundation, whose mission it is to bring happiness to children in crisis, whether the challenge is due to illness, family strife, or financial distress. Kids just want to feel like kids, and they have every right to feel that way, no matter what their real life situation is.

One of the Shira Foundation’s first programs is called Girl’s Day Out, fashioned after a successful program established at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford (more information can be found at http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/about/news/releases/2016/girls-day-out).