Roman's Light Foundation

09/02/2026

Sometimes, we’re reminded just how deeply Roman’s story resonates with others.

Every year, Roman’s family returns to the same place and the same hotel where Roman and they stayed in 2022.

Traveling with a child who has had a transplant and takes immunosuppressive medication can make even the simplest vacation feel uncertain. You make plans knowing there are countless reasons you may have to cancel, or decide it’s simply too risky to go.

In 2022, when Roman’s fevers had eased a little, his family decided to take their chances and drove to Myrtle Beach. They didn’t know it then, but it would be their last vacation with him. Roman passed away within two months of returning home.

“That trip was a tremendous gift to our family,” Anna says. “We’ve returned every year since: to remember Roman, revisit those precious memories, and spend time in a place that means so much to us.”

This year, Anna shared Roman’s story with the hotel and told them about Roman’s Light Foundation. The hotel responded by installing a beautiful plaque for Roman at the beach access, along with a link to Roman’s Light Foundation.

"The words they chose and the place they chose to put it are incredibly beautiful."

We are deeply grateful that Roman’s story, and his light, will now have a permanent place there. Maybe in this way, Roman’s story has a way to connect us with other families in the future. And we’re reminded once again that sharing his story can reach people in ways we never could have imagined.

Thank you, Hampton Inn & Suites MyrtleBeach, for helping share Roman’s light with the world. ❤️

08/30/2026

Your Story Matters

If you have been part of a pediatric transplant journey as a recipient, caregiver, donor, or donor family member, we would be honored to hear from you.

Every transplant journey is different. We want to make space for the experiences, challenges, and everyday realities that are part of these journeys.

You choose what you share. Before anything is published, we will talk with you about your story and obtain your permission.

These stories help others understand what it really means to live through pediatric transplantation. And they remind transplant families that they are not alone.

To share your story, email [email protected]

08/27/2026

ONE MONTH TO GO! 💙💚

We are so excited to share that our very first Roman’s Light Foundation event is just ONE MONTH away!

🗓️ **Saturday, September 26th**

Our Family Fun Day is a special opportunity to bring families, friends, and our community together for a day filled with fun, laughter, connection, and meaningful time together. 🎉

This is our first event as a foundation, and we are truly excited to see this day come to life. We have been working behind the scenes to create a day that families can enjoy, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

You are officially invited! 💚💙

08/22/2026

A transplant can bring hope, improved health, and a new chapter. It can also reshape a family's daily life.

Research shows that pediatric solid organ transplantation can place significant stress and burden on parents and caregivers, with effects that extend to family functioning and can persist after transplant.

One study found that greater caregiving burden was associated with lower quality of life among parents of children with solid-organ transplants. The researchers also noted that the impact can extend to siblings and overall family dynamics.

Supporting a child through transplant means supporting the family, too.

Roman's Light Foundation provides comfort bags, connection, and resources to families living through pediatric transplant — during the transplant and throughout the journey that follows.

Reach out anytime: romanslightfoundation.org 💙💚

Sources: Cousino et al., 2017, Pediatric Transplantation, PMID: 28181361; Taşdemir, 2024, Experimental and Clinical Transplantation, PMID: 38385411.

08/20/2026

A big thank you to our board member Eric and his son Micah for joining KTTC TV Midwest Access to share about Roman’s Light Foundation and our upcoming Family Fun Day!

We’re grateful for the opportunity to tell our story, raise awareness, and invite our community to be part of this special day. Thank you for helping us spread the word! 💙💚

https://www.kttc.com/video/2026/08/19/midwest-access-romans-light-foundation/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTzS7BwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWtZaWtVYUxnZm1McXVZTXNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeIcHcVkWH-NPSix_unqpJPHPzSD8uGVl6gpGLMG54zWRncmvQhsAWCnb2aAk_aem_7hgqrZeVHOF6lELNmJqSMQ

Roman's Light Foundation is working to support children receiving solid organ transplants and their families by providing financial, emotional, and educational resources, fostering a caring community, and reducing the stress and isolation associated with transplant care.

08/18/2026

We are deeply grateful to 🌟 Redeemer Lutheran Church - Rochester, MN 🌟 for your generous $3,000 gift to Roman’s Light Foundation, and for choosing to support our Comfort & Care Bundles program.

When families arrive at the hospital for transplant care, they often face long hospital stays, uncertainty, and many unexpected moments. Our Comfort & Care Bundles are designed to bring a little comfort and practical support along the way — with cozy blankets and sensory toys, entertainment, calming lights, and other thoughtful items.

But these bundles are about more than what is inside them. They are a way of saying, “You are not alone.”

Because of your generosity, we can bring that message to more transplant families.

Thank you, Redeemer Lutheran Church, for helping us make these moments a little easier for children and families facing transplant. We truly appreciate your generosity and support.

08/16/2026

Pediatric Liver Transplantation: By the Numbers

In 2023, 534 children in the United States received a liver transplant. More than 6 in 10 were age 5 or younger:
• 24.9% were under 1
• 37.6% were ages 1–5

For children waiting for a liver transplant, time matters. In 2023, 1,142 children were listed for a liver transplant, and the youngest children faced the greatest risk while waiting.

Biliary atresia was the leading diagnosis, accounting for 37.5% of pediatric liver transplants.

These are very young children—infants, toddlers, and young kids whose lives can depend on receiving a transplant in time.

And transplantation can give them something incredibly important:

More time.

More birthdays.
More school days.
More playgrounds, friendships, and ordinary childhood moments.

At Roman’s Light Foundation, we support children and families navigating the transplant journey and work to make that journey a little less difficult.

Source: 2023 OPTN/SRTR Annual Data Report: Liver, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
View the full SRTR Liver Report https://srtr.hrsa.gov/adr/2023/Liver/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

07/29/2026

💙💚 Behind every number is a child.

A child riding a bike for the first time after a transplant.
A child going back to school.
A child dancing at a family fun day.
A child living the life they almost didn't get to have.

Here's what the data tells us about pediatric kidney transplants in 2024:

• 832 children received a kidney transplant — a record high.
• 97.4% are alive 5 years after transplant.
• 98.7% of children who received a living donor kidney are alive 5 years later.
• Children with living donor kidneys have only a 17.6% graft failure rate at 10 years, meaning most are still thriving a decade later.

The numbers are remarkable. But what they don't capture is the joy on a child's face when they get to simply be a kid again.💙💚

Source: OPTN/SRTR 2024 Annual Data Report

Visit romanslightfoundation.org to learn more

07/25/2026

👀 Something special is coming... We have some incredibly exciting news on the horizon, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Mark your calendars for September 26th.

You won't want to miss what we're planning! Stay tuned for more details coming soon! ✨

07/25/2026

We'd like to introduce Amanda Meetze Baines, Board Member of Roman's Light Foundation ✨

Amanda joined Roman's Light Foundation after being invited by a mentor and friend to support the organization with marketing and design. As she learned more about the Foundation's mission, she was inspired by its commitment to building a trusted, compassionate community for pediatric transplant patients and their families.

Amanda believes that a solid organ transplant changes lives in countless ways, and she's honored to use her creative talents to help families feel supported throughout their journey.

Here's something you might not know about Amanda: she's been practicing "Olympic recurve archery" for more than 14 years! 🏹 What started as a hobby has become one of her favorite passions.

When asked what she hopes pediatric transplant patients and their families feel when they connect with Roman's Light Foundation, Amanda shared:

"I hope they feel that Roman's Light Foundation is there for them at every stage of the transplant journey, meeting them where they are with support they may not even realize they need—from trusted information and comforting care packages to a welcoming community that understands what they're going through."

Helping families feel supported, understood, and connected is at the heart of why Amanda serves.

We're grateful for Amanda's creativity, compassion, and dedication to helping Roman's Light Foundation grow and reach more families. 💙💚