Doctor Who Helms 30 EMS Agencies Across NJ Recognized With National Award Doctor Who Helms 30 EMS Agencies Across NJ Recognized With National Award
Doctor Who Helms 30 EMS Agencies Across NJ Recognized With National Award Matthew Letizia has always wanted to help people in their most vulnerable time of need. The 48-year-old Mahwah emergency medical physician was named the 2023 EMS Medical Director of the Year by NAEMT- Bound Tree Sarnova. Letizia will be honored at a ceremony next month in New Orleans. "What I enjoy most is helping those in need who are not able to help themselves," Letizia tells Daily Voice.  "To be able to stand there with the family and I know I did what's best for their loved one and gave them the best chance of survival. How can I help people when they feel the most vulnerable?" …
Totowa Rallies Around Girl Battling Cancer Totowa Rallies Around Girl Battling Cancer
Totowa Rallies Around Girl Battling Cancer Sofie Stokes' toughest battles are usually on the softball diamond. But now she faces an even bigger fight. Stokes, a Totowa resident, was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July. She has undergone two surgeries and begun chemotherapy. Stokes' father, Nicholas, is a physical education teacher and coach. A fundraiser has been set up to assist the family with medical expenses. As of Monday, August 14, more than $14,300 has been raised. The standout softball player is known as being the first one on the field, always doing anything to help out. Stokes is "always smiling wh…
North Jersey Rallies Around Girl Injured, Orphaned In Earthquake North Jersey Rallies Around Girl Injured, Orphaned In Earthquake
North Jersey Rallies Around Girl Injured, Orphaned In Earthquake Rayen Bekri, a 13-year-old girl, was trapped in the rubble for six days following an earthquake in her native Turkey in February. Now living with family in Bergen County, the community has come together to help her. While trapped under six floors of a collapsed building, Bekri held onto her brother, though he did not survive. Bekri's mother also died in the earthquake, which killed nearly 60,000 people in Turkey and Syria.  Bekri was finally discovered, though her leg had to be amputated. Bekri's father had previously died in a war in Syria.  Rasha Kattan, Bekri's aunt, flew to T…
North Haledon Rallies Around Teacher Facing Hardest Challenge North Haledon Rallies Around Teacher Facing Hardest Challenge
North Haledon Rallies Around Teacher Facing Hardest Challenge Sharon Governale has been battling health issues her entire life. But now she faces her toughest battle. In May, Governale underwent emergency spinal surgery after an infection traveled to her spinal cord. While the surgery was successful, her spinal column suffered severe damage, rendering her a quadriplegic. She currently uses a motorized wheelchair.  Governale has rheumatoid arthritis, has had two hip replacements and battled thyroid cancer. Her health challenges haven't stopped her from working as a preschool special education teacher for the last 18 years and having a three-year-o…
Passaic County Family Whose Home Destroyed By Fire Sees Community Support Passaic County Family Whose Home Destroyed By Fire Sees Community Support
Passaic County Family Whose Home Destroyed By Fire Sees Community Support The Fuquene family has been reeling since their West Clifton home was destroyed after being struck by lightning and catching on fire.  While the family of seven made it out safely, they lost their home and personal belongings and are currently staying in a hotel, which has put a financial strain on the family. A fundraiser has been set up to support the family. As of Friday, July 21, almost $4,000 has been raised. Raquel White, who organized the fundraiser, said money raised will assist the family with expenses not covered by insurance and help them rebuild their lives. To view the fu…
NJ Mom Going Through 'Worst Nightmare' Sees Surge Of Support NJ Mom Going Through 'Worst Nightmare' Sees Surge Of Support
NJ Mom Going Through 'Worst Nightmare' Sees Surge Of Support North Jersey mom Rose Conforti's life has been completely upended since her daughter, Olivia, suffered a cardiac arrest in May, which caused severe brain damage. Conforti, who lives in Bergenfield, said Olivia is alive but remains in "fragile" condition. "This is a nightmare situation I’m living every single day as my sweet Olivia hangs onto life in an acute care hospital," Conforti said. "Please pray for me and Olivia during this most difficult time." A fundraiser has been set up to assist Conforti with medical expenses and any additional expenses she may incur. As of Wednesday, July 19, …
NJ Police Officer Fighting Cancer Won't Do It Alone NJ Police Officer Fighting Cancer Won't Do It Alone
NJ Police Officer Fighting Cancer Won't Do It Alone Mark Steinberg, recently sworn in as a police officer in Verona, is in for the fight of his life. And the community is rallying to his side. Steinberg, 23, was recently was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma cancer. A fundraiser has been created by the Verona PBA to assist him and his family with any expenses. As of Tuesday, July 11, more than $73,500 has been raised. Steinberg went to the emergency room in May suffering from mild back pain and a fever. CT scans revealed multiple masses in his abdominal cavity and he was eventually diagnosed with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors and …
Paterson Rallies Around Firefighter Severely Injured In Motorcycle Crash Paterson Rallies Around Firefighter Severely Injured In Motorcycle Crash
Paterson Rallies Around Firefighter Severely Injured In Motorcycle Crash Jonathan Roman is lucky to be alive. The Paterson firefighter, a veteran who served in Iraq, was on his way to work when he was involved in a motorcycle crash in Sept. 2022.  Roman lost a significant amount of blood and has faced numerous surgical procedures. Roman's wife, who was two months pregnant and raising their one-year-old daughter at the time of the crash, has been unable to work while she cares for her family. A fundraiser has been set up to assist with Roman and his family with medical bills and for a wheelchair accessible vehicle. As of Thursday, July 6, $10,670 has been r…
'What More Can A Grandson Wish For?': Don't Miss News Producer From NJ On 'Jeopardy!' 'What More Can A Grandson Wish For?': Don't Miss News Producer From NJ On 'Jeopardy!'
'What More Can A Grandson Wish For?': Don't Miss News Producer From NJ On 'Jeopardy!' It was Ittai Sopher's grandmother who was probably the most excited to hear the news. After years of hoping and trying, the Englewood native will compete on the Wednesday, July 12 episode of "Jeopardy!" An avid "Jeopardy!" fan himself, Sopher said getting the news was one of the happiest moments of his grandmother's life. "What more can a grandson wish for?" Sopher said. For Sopher, appearing on the popular game show is a culmination of a long journey that began when he started watching it as a kid in 2010. "I immediately tried out the first opportunity I got," said Sopher, who works for…
Clifton Community Rallies Around Boy Critically Injured While Riding Bike Clifton Community Rallies Around Boy Critically Injured While Riding Bike
Clifton Community Rallies Around Boy Critically Injured While Riding Bike Agel Khalifeh, a 13-year-old Clifton resident and rising 8th grader at Christopher Columbus Middle School, is in a coma after he was hit by a car while riding his bike on Sunday, June 25.  Khalifeh suffered internal bleeding to the brain and stomach and has undergone multiple surgeries since the accident. A fundraiser has been created to assist Khalifeh's family with expenses and medical bills. As of Tuesday, June 27, more than $67,000 has been raised. "Aqel's recovery is going to be a long and challenging journey, not only for him but also for his family who are dealing with this trau…
Beloved Music Teacher Fighting Cancer Again Sees Community Support Beloved Music Teacher Fighting Cancer Again Sees Community Support
Beloved Music Teacher Fighting Cancer Again Sees Community Support Lynette Parks is once again in the fight of her life and the community is coming to her aid. The beloved music teacher at Young World Day School in Mahwah has been diagnosed with cancer. Parks previously beat cancer in 2019.  Parks, a mother of three, works at Trader Joe's in Wayne when she's not sharing her love of music at preschools in the area. A fundraiser has been set up to help ease her financial burden. As of Monday, June 26, almost $12,000 has been raised. "Lynette is a ray of sunshine despite all the hardships she has faced," Emma Joseph, who organized the fundraiser, said.…
North Jersey Boy Struck By Car Sees Overwhelming Community Support North Jersey Boy Struck By Car Sees Overwhelming Community Support
North Jersey Boy Struck By Car Sees Overwhelming Community Support As Stefan Wiklinski remains on the mend after being struck by a car in Old Tappan while riding his bike, residents of the borough are showing they have his back. A fundraiser has been created to support Wiklinski's family with medical expenses following the Sunday, June 11 incident. As of Tuesday, June 20, more than $60,000 has been raised. Wiklinski, an eighth grader who was set to graduate from Charles DeWolf Middle School, suffered a brain injury and remains under sedation. Wiklinski, called "Stefan Spectacular" by his dad, Stephen, was inducted into the National Honor Society and played…
Twin NJ Docs Fight Cancer In Honor Of Late Father Twin NJ Docs Fight Cancer In Honor Of Late Father
Twin NJ Docs Fight Cancer In Honor Of Late Father The Danish twins are New Jersey doctors making it their life mission to get rid of cancer in honor of their late father. Dr. Adnan Danish is an attending physician at Hackensack Meridian's cancer center and chief of radiation oncology at St. Joseph's Health and Dr. Shabbar Danish operates on brain tumors as chair of neurosurgery at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune City. The Danish brothers are said they were inspired by their father, who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 49. At the same time their father received his leukemia diagnosis, Adnan was…