Jenna's Rainbow

The Foundation derives its name from Jenna's love of rainbows. She drew them, painted them, wrote about them and spread their brilliant colors around us as she smiled her way through life. In keeping Jenna's spirit alive, here is one recent rainbow sighting:

"I attended the annual Making Headway Picnic at Maya and Ed Manley's house. As you are aware, they have a picnic for about 300 children who have had brain and spinal cord tumors from the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery. It was a clear crisp day with Canadian weather and the kids had a fine time of arts and crafts, petting zoo, gym, swimming, great food, entertainment and fishing for prizes. Many of the parents comment that this day is like a kid's heaven. At the end of the day a magician had all the kids mesmerized on the front lawn with his tricks. I felt a drop of rain and I looked up and there was a beautiful rainbow. The weather didn't change. I didn't feel a second drop but I knew that Jenna was with us. I called to several of the people who had also worked with Jenna at the hospital including our host and hostess who all nodded in agreement that this was Jenna visiting for the day."

From: Honey Shields
(Director of Child Life Department, for the INN)

Sightings Collection

Ann : Linda : Charlie : Robin : Lenny : Alyssa : Claudia : Honey

Ann Brown, Jesse's teacher...

Upon returning from lunch, Jesse and his first-grade friends were amazed by a beautiful, vibrant rainbow that appeared on the floor of our classroom. Even more amazing, this rainbow appeared under the table in the exact spot where Jenna had sat when she was in my first-grade class two years ago. These glimpses of brilliance serve as a reminder to all of us. No matter how tough the times may be, remember to take a minute and look for the rainbow.

Linda Kamil, Jenna's mother...

On the morning of her birthday, after receiving a birthday card and hugs from Jesse, Jenna's brother, Linda turned on the TV only to be greeted by pictures of a beautiful rainbow. The Today Show (Linda's favorite morning news show) was airing a segment from Victoria Falls, Africa. Victoria Falls is a waterfall that is graced with a perpetual rainbow all year long. The TV sighting made Linda's birthday easier and more complete -- after a card from Jesse, a "card" from Jenna.

Charlie, a Friend...

"I was driving to school early one morning in May. I remember not being in the best of spirits. I was either stressing out with the amount of work I had to do before the end of the school year, or perhaps I was in one of my moods where I was questioning if I was doing the best I could for my students. I was about ten miles from my school building and as I turned on to the last stretch of highway, arching across the sky was this beautiful rainbow. Actually, there were two arches, but the second one was not easily visible. However, the one that was visible was quite a sight to see and the colors were vibrant. I thought it was strange that a rainbow would appear with no rain or sun, and so early in the morning. In what I will call an epiphany, I thought of Jenna, and felt that in some strange way she was sending me a message. Despite where my mind was before seeing the rainbow, I immediately felt better, had a better frame of mind, and really felt that I was blessed in seeing such a beautiful sight. There were other drivers on the road, but I felt the rainbow was really there just for me."

Robin Kugler, a Friend...

"Recently my family and I were vacationing in sunny Puerto Rico. Staying at the same resort was the Kamil family - Gideon, Linda and Jesse. During our stay on a few afternoons we would get a very short rain shower to everyone's delight. Adults would hide under towels and run for cover while giggles could be heard from the kids playing in the ocean in the brief rain.

On one afternoon after our rain shower the most beautiful rainbow appeared over the beach island at the resort. My youngest daughter, Mallory, said "Look Mom, it's a rainbow!" and I replied "Of course it's a rainbow! It's here because the Kamil's are here."

Lenny Mandel, Friend of Jenna's uncle...

rode his Harley to the memorial service. On the ride home he had tears streaming down his face and had to pull the bike over to the shoulder of the road. He took off his helmet and wept. When he looked up, he saw a brilliant rainbow.

Alyssa Potolsky, Jenna's friend...

was playing off-the-wall baseball shen she looked up and saw a rainbow. She threw the ball and waved. When some other kids looked at her questioningly (with eyebrows appropriately raised), Alyssa calmly explained, "Jenna's watching me play. I just wanted to say hello."

Claudia Krestshmann, one of Jenna's nurses...

"...Jenna lives on in so many ways for me. I have seen more rainbows this summer than ever. I know Jenna is watching over us -- because we haven't had any rain to make the rainbows.