Little Boy Gives Back After 'Extremely Scary' Health Emergency

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — One little boy gave back in a big way to help other children who are in the hospital, after a frightening experience of his own.

According to Lisa Luna, her son Lucas is 6 years old and a student at Hampton Bays Elementary School in Hampton Bays.

"On Valentines Day, he had a life-threatening medical emergency that required hospitalization at Stony Brook Children's Hospital. Two weeks after, he was hospitalized for a second time at the same hospital," she said.

Her son, Luna said, was sick with a virus and had been having difficulty breathing; he was ultimately diagnosed with asthma. When she took him to the urgent care in Hampton Bays, staffers immediately called 911 for an ambulance to take him to Peconic Bay Medical Center; from there, he was sent by ambulance to Stony Brook Children's Hospital.

The next days were filled with uncertainty and setbacks, many doctors and hospital visits —and missed school, she said.

But an outpouring of kindness meant everything, Luna said.

Lucas' kindergarten teacher, Brittany Morlock, reached out and asked what she could do to make him feel better — if she, the class, or school could find some way to offer comfort and encouragement, Luna said.

"After discussing with Lucas what we could do, he decided to create a fundraiser at his school to raise money and toys for the children at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital," Luna said. "He wanted to cheer up other ill children."

While he was hospitalized, the most memorable part for her son was the Life Services Department, which provides toys and activities to pediatric patients, Luna said.

"He received toys, coloring books, and participated in art projects and a magic show," she said. "His favorite was the mini LEGO set he received and was able to take home with him."

After speaking with his teacher she was extremely enthusiastic about making Lucas' dream of helping other kids a reality, Luna said.

Morlock, Luna said, met with the Hampton Bay Elementary School Principal Marc Meyer and the school's fundraising group K-Kids.

"Working with the district office, the fundraiser was up and running," Luna said.

The K-Kids group, along with Lucas and Morlock, arranged to sell emoji keychains to the students at the school with proceeds donated to the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital's Life Services Department, Luna said.

"With the keychain sales and a few donations from family members, the fundraiser was a great success — they raised $1,100 as well a box full of LEGO sets that the kindergarten teachers personally donated," she said.

Earlier in June, Lucas delivered the toys and funds to the Stony Brook Children's Hospital, Luna said.

Luna said the goal of sharing the story was to help children facing similar situations.

"Maybe others will be encouraged to take an extremely scary situation and turn it into a good experience," she said. "Hopefully someone who may be in a difficult situation could turn it around into a positive one."

Also, Luna added, she wanted to spotlight all the tireless efforts by community members who came together to make one little boy's dream a reality.

"This hospital is so important — they save so many lives daily," Luna said.

Stony Brook staffers were touched by the kindness.

"One of our patients, Lucas, recently returned with a wagon full of toys and a monetary donation to our Child Life Program!" Stony Brook Children's Hospital wrote on Facebook. "Huge thanks to Lucas, his family, and his school friends in Hampton Bays!"