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• Dec 26, 2006 8:46 am US/Central
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  Web Site Helps Sick Children Smile Again

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Web Site Helps Sick Children Smile Again

Eagan, Minn. (WCCO) ― One of the hardest things about watching a seriously ill child is seeing them suffer, but one Web site is designed to give sick children their smile back.

The site is called Make a Child Smile and it allows sick children to get cards from strangers. This month, an Eagan, Minn. boy was featured on the Web site and hundreds of well wishes later, he's still opening packages.

Logan, 3, has faced some pretty tough challenges in his short life and has come out of them with flying colors. In November, though, open-heart surgery lead to liver and kidney failure and the disappearance of his smile.

"He was just sad, he wasn't talking, he wasn't smiling, he wasn't acknowledging people when they came in, it was really scary," said Natalie, Logan's mother.

Things changed when the Make a Child Smile Web site featured Logan's story. The site's purpose is to let anyone send well wishes to a sick child.

"We got cards from Australia and Ireland and all over the country," said Ben, Logan's father. "It's been amazing."

There have been more than 300 cards and several gifts including Care Bears, which are Logan's favorite. Logan's twin brother, Owen, also likes the Care Bears.

"We take for granted how easy e-mail is now, but there's nothing like getting a card in the mail to just lift your spirits on a day when maybe you need something," said Natalie.

Logan started getting cards early in December and it didn't take long for the Web site to fulfill its goal.

"Put a smile on someone's face," said Ben. "I think it's done that for Logan."

"We've just been so touched by it," said Natalie.

Logan has returned to his old self, his kidneys and liver are working again and his future is looking bright.

Managers of Make a Child Smile encourage people to send cards and gifts to the child's siblings as well. Owen also has received many of his own gifts and their mother said they can now recognize each other's name and who each package is for.

The Web site was started by a woman in Florida 8 years ago and she doesn't have any children. The site runs on donations however, and the creator is concerned she only has enough sponsors to keep the site up another two years.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)