Honoring Stephanie Franchak
In memory of his sister Stephanie, a first-year pediatric resident at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital who passed away suddenly at the age of 30 in 2004, filmmaker Paul Franchak created Where We Go From Here—a short film offering comfort, hope, and healing to those grieving the loss of a loved one. Drawing from his own personal journey with grief, Paul is raising funds for the hospital’s Family Guidance and Bereavement Program, which provides free counseling and support services to families navigating the loss of a child. Donations will help continue Stephanie’s legacy of compassion by ensuring others don’t have to face their grief alone.
Our Story
On July 14, 2004, my world changed forever. My little sister, Stephanie, a first-year pediatric resident at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, passed away suddenly from an aggressive and undetected form of breast cancer. She had fallen ill just two weeks earlier over the Fourth of July weekend. She was my best friend, and her loss still hurts deeply. Grief, I’ve learned, is not something you get over, it simply changes over time. It’s a personal journey, and everyone walks it differently. What has remained constant for me is the belief that we all deserve space, compassion, and support as we navigate our way through it.
To honor Stephanie’s life and legacy, I created a short film titled Where We Go From Here. This project was born from my own grief and the often lonely, misunderstood path of mourning. The film is for anyone who has lost someone they love, whether recently or years ago. It is my hope that it offers comfort, solidarity, and a reminder that healing is possible. Storytelling has always been a way for me to process life’s hardest seasons, and through this film, I want others to feel seen, heard, and understood in theirs.
In Stephanie’s memory, I’m raising funds for the Family Guidance and Bereavement Program at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, the very place she dedicated her life to as a young doctor. This incredible program offers grief support services to families who have experienced the loss of a child, all at no cost. Their team walks alongside parents, siblings, and grandparents, providing essential counseling and resources in both English and Spanish. Their work is a lifeline for families who are living through their darkest days. If you’ve ever experienced loss—or loved someone who has—you know how important it is to feel supported, not judged. Your donation helps provide that support.
By contributing to this campaign, you’re not only helping others find hope through their grief, but you’re also honoring Stephanie’s legacy in a way that continues her commitment to healing, compassion, and care. Thank you for being part of this mission.
—Paul Franchak
Activity
Donations via Check
If you prefer to make a donation via check, please follow these instructions:
Please mail checks to:
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Attn: Gift Processing
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Please write “In Honor of Stephanie Franchak” in the notes section on the check or enclosed note.
Tax ID: 77-0440090
For our international supporters: Please contact the Gift Administration team at Gift.Processing@LPFCH.org or by phone at 1-650-461-9980. We would be happy to assist you in making a gift.
If you would like to discuss a donor advised fund or stock gift: Please email Gift.Processing@LPFCH.org or call 1-650-461-9980.