A couple have been speaking out about the overnight doubling in size of their family after they adopted the four daughters of a tragic friend.



Elizabeth Diamond, an author and artist from Buffalo, New York, died in April after being diagnosed with stage four brain cancer in August last year.

Her best friend Laura Ruffino and husband Rico have taken in the single mom's children, aged five to 12, and are raising them with their own two daughters.

‘Ten years ago, I didn’t think this would be my life,’ Rico Ruffino told 7 Eyewitness News.

‘But if something gets thrown at you, just accept the challenge and do the best you can.’

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New family: Laura and Rico Ruffino with their six daughters - four were the children of Laura's best friend

Laura and Rico with Elizabeth Diamond's four daughters, Lily, Ella, Samona and Tara, who are aged five to 12

Laura added: 'When I sit back and I think about it, it’s hard to think about because it’s still shocking to me. This is a really big thing, but to us, it’s just our life.’

Immediately after Elizabeth was diagnosed, she asked Laura to take care of her four daughters if anything happened to her.

She died three months ago, aged 40, leaving behind Lily, Ella, Samona and Tara.

Afterwards the Buffalo community embraced the adage that it ‘takes a village to raise a child’.

The Ruffinos have already received donations of a kitchen table with room for four extra people, as well as a bigger fridge to help with the practicalities of raising their new, much larger, family.

A fundraising web page has been set up to help the family by the non-profit group Buffalo Wellness Center - of which Elizabeth was a board member.

The group wrote on the YouCaring.com page: 'Friends of the families are asking for support in anyway you deem you can help.

'The Ruffino family are receiving no financial child support to accommodate this quick expansion. The Ruffino family have always been the type of people to help others in need and now we are asking for help in their quest to provide an amazing life for the 6 daughters they now have.'

Elizabeth Diamond with her girls. The tragic mom died in April after being diagnosed with stage four cancer

Support: Laura and her best friend Elizabeth following Elizabeth's devastating diagnosis last year

‘Above all, this family is doing everything in their power to make the Diamond daughters feel loved and part of the family.

‘It is the most beautiful thing we have ever seen.’

By Wednesday morning the fundraising page had raised $6,000 towards the $20,000 goal.

People who have donated have praised the generosity of the family.

Mk Coyne. wrote: 'This story makes my heart swell. You guys are killing it at life. My heart and thoughts are with you and your newly-extended family.

Nancy Klekas said: ‘I have two boys and I feel overwhelmed. I think it’s the best, most important thing you can do to embrace four new daughters into your home. ‘I wish I could give more! Please enjoy your likely energetic, chaotic, loud family of girls!’

Laura and Rico with their two daughters, before they welcomed Elizabeth's four daughters into their home

The girls playing together in their back yard. A local group has started a fundraising page for the family