LANSING, Mich. (WSYM) - Losing a child is never easy, but what one local family is doing with their grief is amazing. We first told you about Chad and Lisa Borodychuk's pillow project a couple years ago. FOX 47's Marcus Dash catches up with them a year after their daughter's death.
Almost a year to the day when Olivia Kay Borodychuk lost her eight-year battle to leukodystrophy. Parents Lisa and Chad still taking it day by day.
"We are all still very sad and grieving, it's only been a year and we grieved while she was still alive because we knew that her life was going to be cut short," said Lisa Borodychuk.
Olivia may have lost her fight, but her parents haven't stopped their continued push to help other children going through life-threatening illnesses through pillow project.
They send pillows to kids all over the country to help keep them comfortable on top of the joy of receiving a gift.
"It brings a smile to their face, their parents get to see their child smile for the first time in days, because they are dealing with all of the things they have to deal with in the hospital," said Chad Borodychuk.
The pillow project is apart of the Olivia Kay Foundation which they started when Olivia was six.
With there being no cure for Olivia's disease they thought starting this would help other families in similar circumstances
"We were in a project to help create a wheelchair ramp, we were able to provide a family a van, financial help to families," said Chad Borodychuk.
Because of Olivia's fight, she has been able to bring light to this disease. While living such a short life, Olivia has been able to touch so many. Even random strangers stopping Lisa at the grocery store.
"I've never met her but for some reason, I feel like she has made me be a better person, and I have never even met you or her. Just to hear someone say that it's like wow," said Lisa Borodychuk.
So far 5,635 pillows have been sent to children all over. A pillow symbolizing Olivia's fight and a parent's eternal love.
The Borodychuks will be delivering pillows at Sparrow Hospital to celebrate Olivia's life tomorrow.
