Journalism: Projects: All for Mooda

Mooda Robinson-Rashad's parents had no idea how sick she was when they adopted her at birth. Health problems piled on, but her family persevered. Then came the worst, a disease they could neither fathom nor cure. Their love and faith kept them going as they fought for their 18-year-old's life. 

Mooda was diagnosed with AIDS at 8 years-old. Though she was born with the illness, New York State's Child Protective Services failed to inform her adoptive parents, Pepa and David. Mooda was then diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma in 2004. Her parents cared for her, their other grown kids and their grandchildren solely with government assistance.  

Mooda asked Pepa if she would be mad if she left her and went to heaven after seeing an angel. "No." Pepa answered. One day later, on February 10, 2005 at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, Mooda died with her parents, Rabbi and a friend at her side.