Every week, People magazine’s “Heroes Among Us” column recognizes ordinary citizens for their inspiring stories and courageous actions. On Jan. 28, CESJDS parent Laurie Strongin was honored as the Hero Among Us due to her hard work and dedication to the organization she founded 12 years ago: Hope for Henry.

Hope for Henry’s mission is to comfort and support children in hospitals who are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Strongin is the CEO of the organization.

“[Winning the award], was so incredible mostly because I have to say that I actually read People magazine, and I have been reading that column, ‘Heroes Among Us,’ for years,” Strongin said. “It just felt unbelievable when they first called me and said they wanted to feature me in that very column; I just couldn’t believe it.”

Strongin and her husband, Allen Goldberg, were inspired to start Hope for Henry in 2003, about a year after their son Henry died at age seven of Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disorder. Throughout his life, Henry was always upbeat, even through his long stays in hospitals.Their goal is to honor Henry’s life by spreading happiness and smiles.

Strongin wrote a memoir in 2010 titled, “Saving Henry: A Mother’s Journey,” which expresses her love for Henry and portrays his bravery while fighting a life-threatening illness.

In trying to keep Henry’s memory alive, Strongin has grown the organization from hosting five major events a year to hosting between 25 and 30. In addition to the increase of events, Hope for Henry has expanded from providing sick children with new electronics to also offering engaging activities, such as superhero- themed celebrations and movie nights.

“I just get to see these incredible smiles on their faces … when a superhero walks into their room or when on Halloween they dress up in costumes, and they have completely forgotten that they are sick and they just are kids again,” Strongin said.

Hope for Henry’s Super Path to Super Duper Better is a program that pays children in Hope for Henry Bucks when they have to go through difficult experiences such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The children can then trade in their bucks for prizes off of their personal wish lists.

“[The activities are] to ensure that the kids get to have as normal a life as possible while they work hard to get better,” Strongin said in an email.

Sophomore Jaimin Kammerman underwent brain surgery and experienced first-hand the support that Hope for Henry gives. After surgery, he woke up to find a brand new iPad next to him.

“I was so happy,” Kammerman said. “I still have the iPad to this day, and it made my time in the hospital seem a little brighter in the dark.”

Kammerman is the only former patient currently on Hope for Henry’s teen advisory board. Strongin’s son, eighth-grader Joe Goldberg, is also on the teen board. He helps the organization by coming up with ideas for events and fundraisers.

“The most meaningful part of the organization to me is probably just … watching the smiles on all of the kids’ faces when [my mom] goes to the hospital,” Goldberg said.

Although People magazine’s “Heroes Among Us” award is the most recent instance, this is not the first time Hope for Henry has been recognized. It has won prestigious awards, including the Chairman’s Award from Children’s National and Georgetown Pediatrics’ Flame of Hope Award.

Hope for Henry will extend its influence this year by adding another hospital to their volunteer network, the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Kammerman sees the whole organization as being incredibly important, and believes that Strongin’s leadership is one of the key reasons for its success.

“The fact that someone would devote their whole life to bringing cheer or happiness to other people and … making other people feel important [is why she is a hero],” Kammerman said.