Dear Henry

Thursday, June 22, 2006

'Live Well Laugh Hard'

Mauri Pioppi, whose LoveLetters line of jewelry is popular among Hollywood celebrities, on Monday evening unveiled her latest creation: the "Live Well Laugh Hard" necklace. Sales will benefit the Washington, D.C.-based Hope for Henry Foundation.

D.C. residents Allen Goldberg and Laurie Strongin began the foundation following the 2002 death of their 7-year-old son, Henry, who died of Fanconi anemia, a genetic disease, one type of which occurs more frequently in Jews of Ashkenazic ancestry.

" 'Live Well Laugh Hard,' the motto of the Hope for Henry Foundation, is something we can all learn from and a beautiful sentiment to communicate on this jewelry," said Pioppo. "I am proud to lend my creative efforts to support the well-being of these children facing life-threatening illnesses. I can measure the success of this line in the smiles and laughter we all help bring to the kids."

The foundation works with hospitals across the country to give high-end portable consumer electronics, like iPods, DVD players and XM satellite radios, to kids with life-threatening illnesses to help ease the monotony and pain of hospitalizations and medical treatments.

Copyright 2006, Washington Jewish Week