Our Founders

Josh Helfrich left behind a twin sister, devoted parents, and a very close extended family of relatives and friends. As they dealt with their grief, they took comfort in the fact that Josh knew he was loved every day of his life. It was their wish that this love and caring be extended to those children who were unable to experience similar comfort of family when they needed attention the most. Josh Cares was born from that love.

Enter Dan and Lynn Pierce of Indian Hill, close friends of the Helfrich family. How do families deal with the incredible pain of losing a child? By turning that grief into positive energy that can help others. The Pierce family saw the path their friends were experiencing and compared it to their own happy ending of a time when their own children were gravely ill. And the answer to their grief made itself known.

Dan Pierce explains things this way:

“Shortly after Josh's funeral, his mother Ann commented that Josh knew every day that he was loved and cherished — and it saddened her to think of children who endured life-threatening injury or illness without the comfort of family by their sides. Lynn and I recalled how our twin boys spent the first seven weeks of their lives in the newborn intensive care unit, and we were able to be with them around the clock. But we were shocked to see other infants that were there alone. Despite the quality of care at Children's, this loneliness happens every day, at every level of care.”

The Pierce and Helfrich families created the Josh Cares Program which benefits children who are going through a frightening experience lonely and afraid. While they are receiving the wonderful benefits of care at Cincinnati Children's, many pediatric patients feel abandoned in their greatest time of emotional need because their families are unable to be with them. This mental state can diminish their will to recover and can cause long-term social and emotional issues.

The funds raised for the Josh Cares program are used to help children feel special and cared for through Child Life Specialists who fill their lonely hours, read them stories until they fall asleep, play games with them, hold their hands, provide encouragement and emotional support during a painful procedure, or maybe just spend time talking about anything on the child's mind.

Founders Dan and Lynn Pierce believe that

“While there are many wonderful charities that provide gifts and tangible items to the patients of Cincinnati Children's, sometimes what children need most is the undivided attention of someone who makes them feel special. The funds raised for the Josh Cares program are used for that purpose — to supplement the therapeutic services of Cincinnati Children's by providing individual care and attention to the patients who do not benefit from the physical presence of family members.”

What's next? Dan states,

“As with all fundraising, the challenge will be to maintain momentum. We have made a great start and have raised awareness of an important, yet unmet, need of the patients at Cincinnati Children's. Our ultimate goal is that we will be imitated in other cities. But first we have to perpetuate this in Cincinnati.”