"Our lives have been devastated. We struggle to get through each day without our precious Amanda. There is nothing more we can do for our daughter, but we feel it is our responsibility to raise awareness of the risks of the flu. If we can help prevent a single death and spare a single family from going through this, we will consider our efforts a success."

These are the words of a mother who lost her 4½-year-old daughter, Amanda, on March 1, 2004, to the flu.

Every year, children die in the United States from influenza and its complications. These are unnecessary losses that impact not only us, but everyone in our community — including siblings, grandparents, and schoolmates.

The families and friends of these children have been left shocked and devastated. Looking for comfort and wanting to increase awareness about the importance of vaccinating children against the flu every year, many have united to form Families Fighting Flu.