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Monday, nov 4
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Chemotherapy
News
$62K Raised For NJ Mom Battling 'Cancer With No Real Cure'
Danielle Rolon was in remission for two months before her cancer came back, but worse. Rolon, a Somerville mom, was diagnosed with breast cancer triple negative breast cancer when her third child was four months old, she said on a GoFundMe page she launched for herself and her family. She underwent five months of weekly chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and 25 rounds of radiation. Then, Rolon underwent a clinical trial and her cancer went into remission but it was short- lived. "I started to feel great and decided to get back to the gym," she writes. "After three days at the gy…
Neighbors
Support Swells For Union County's 'Queen Of Dunkin' Battling Cancer
Customers at the Dunkin' on Mountain Avenue in Springfield can always count on Maria Urmatan. She knows everyone's name and order and greets patrons with a smile and a greeting. But Urmatan is currently in the fight for his life. Diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, Urmatan, recently finished chemotherapy and will have a double mastectomy on Thursday, Feb. 15. Urmatan does not have health insurance. "Treatment for her cancer is going to ruin her family financially," Denyce Yannazzone, who organized a fundraiser for Urmatan said. As of Monday, Feb. 12, more than $32,200 has been ra…
Police & Fire
Mutual Aid Helps Boy, 4, From Family Of North Jersey First Responders Begin Cancer Fight
A 4-year-old boy who comes from a family of North Jersey first responders has headed into a battle with the additional love and support of friends, fellow public servants and others. Jonathan Benkovic has Wilms tumor. Also known as nephroblastoma, it's a pediatric cancer that often affects children 3 to 4 years old. Next week he'll begin chemotherapy treatments that are expected to last 30 weeks. A community of public servants are all pulling for Jonathan, who comes from a family of heroes. The sheriff’s PBA Local 134, along with police and firefighters in Hasbrouck Heights and Hackensack…
Neighbors
Passaic County Rallies Around Softball Player 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…
Neighbors
Community Rallies Around Ailing Essex County Police Officer
Johnnie Rodriguez is in for the fight of his life. Rodriguez, a police officer with the Essex County Department Of Corrections was diagnosed with POEMS syndrome and myeloma cancer in Oct. 2022. POEMS syndrome is a rare blood disorder that damages nerves and affects other parts of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. The police officer has recently begun infusion treatments and chemotherapy, along with stem cell transplant, that will put him out of action for six months. A fundraiser has been set up to assist him and his family, which include his wife and three children. As of…
Sports
Beloved Rutgers Equipment Manager Battling Cancer Sees Support From Athletes
Support is on the rise for a Rutgers University equipment manager and devoted dad following a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis. 1989 Rutgers graduate Ulysses Molina, aka "Uly,” has worked at the university for more than 30 years, currently managing equipment for the men's and women's lacrosse and soccer programs, according to a GoFundMe launched for his medical support. A resident of Somerville, Molina was recently diagnosed with throat cancer and must undergo a series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the fundraiser says. Meanwhile, he and his wife, Denise’s daughter, Isabella, grad…
News
NJ Starbucks Worker Was Right To Be Worried About Daughter's Swollen Belly: 'One Strong Girl'
A Camden County mom's intuition that something wasn't right with her 2-year-old daughter and her swollen belly unfortunately turned out to be right. Sometime after the new year, Damara Burke noticed swelling in Charli's upper belly, according to a GoFundMe page launched for the Mount Ephraim family. "After a week of testing (ultrasound, MRI with anesthesia, CT scan, and Biopsy), the doctors confirmed that she had several masses that metastasized from her kidney to her liver, lungs, and around her blood vessels," her aunt wrote on the page. Charli BurkeGoFundMe "These tumors in Charli’s…
News
Brain Infection Plagues Paterson Teacher Amid Cancer Battle
After battling leukemia, braving multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor, Emily Setteducato thought her medical woes were over. The 28-year-old Paterson elementary school teacher had left the hospital, returned to the classroom, celebrated a birthday, and was back to planning a future with her long-time boyfriend, Will. But now, the Saddle Brook woman is battling an infection in her brain, complicated by a weakened immune system still reeling from her cancer treatment, her sister Jackie Griffin writes in a GoFundM…
News
Cancer Misdiagnosed As COVID For NJ Nursing Student Who Finished School From Hospital Bed
Angela Meister was weeks away from finishing nursing school when she woke up with flu-like symptoms one day in late October. The 29-year-old Bergenfield resident was achey and had a fever, but wanted to push through and finally finish the 16-month accelerated nursing program she started. Her symptoms came and went, and she figured that was because she wasn't letting herself rest. But after 11 days with a fever, Meister went to the ER. Doctors told her she had a bad case of COVID and sent her on her way, encouraging rest and Tylenol. Meister spent the following month in and out of urgent c…
Lifestyle
Ridgewood Boxer On 12-Year Battle With Blood Cancer: 'The Fight'
A 31-year-old boxer from Ridgewood is in his sixth battle with blood cancer, and he's penned a memoir detailing it all. Anthony Daniels book called "The Fight" sheds light on his journey of broken dreams and having hope while fighting the 12-year battle. As a child, Daniels dreamed of becoming a professional athlete. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was just 19 years old. After thousands of hours of chemotherapy and his cancer returning five times, Anthony has relapsed again and is now fighting his sixth battle. Despite grueling treatments, Anthony chooses to be strong, a…
Lifestyle
Devoted Union County Dad With Terminal Brain Cancer Prompts Wave Of Community Support
Support is on the rise for the family of a beloved Union County dad diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Victor Vilela was diagnosed with a brain tumor through scans after a car accident 16 years ago, according to a GoFundMe launched for his end-of-life care. The scans led to an official diagnosis of Glioblastoma Astrocytoma Multiforme, an “extremely aggressive form of cancer,” the campaign says. Since then, the dedicated dad has had a nonstop treatment journey, undergoing two invasive surgeries, as well as chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy. Still, Victor’s tumor continued t…
News
Bergen County Dad's Aggressive Brain Cancer Started As Confusion, Pounding Headache
One day, Richie Nelson was enjoying summer with his wife and young boys. The next, he was being airlifted to a hospital where he'd undergo emergency brain surgery, to remove the tumor that had been causing confusion and a massive headache for weeks. The 39-year-old dad from Norwood has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer that has turned his life upside-down. Much of the future is unknown for Nelson and his family, which is why his wife, Jenny Bertolini, says these days, they're focused on the here and now. "We don't know what tomorrow brings," said Bertolin…
Sports
Sparta Football Player Battling Aggressive Bone Cancer At Age 11 Gets Wave Of Community Support
The Sparta community is rallying for a 5th grader and youth football player who is preparing to undergo chemotherapy treatment after he was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. Daniel Bachkhaz, 11 in life and on the football field, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in early October, according to a GoFundMe launched for his medical support and a social media post from his football team, the Sparta Spartans. Since Daniel’s initial diagnosis, the post says that the cancer has continued to spread to his lungs, lymph nodes, pelvis, knee, and various parts of his leg. Many of you have heard …
News
Support Surges For Morris County Nurse, Devoted Mom Battling Stage 2 Invasive Breast Cancer
Support is on the rise for a Morris County nurse and devoted mother battling an invasive and fast-spreading form of stage 2 breast cancer. Nicole Papa, a nurse at Advocare Family Health at Mount Olive, was diagnosed with stage 2, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in July, according to a GoFundMe launched for her medical expenses. “TNBC differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that it tends to grow and spread faster, has fewer treatment options, and tends to have a worse prognosis,” the campaign says. While Nicole has already undergone surgery to remove the tumor and severa…
News
Support Surges For Single Mom Of 2, Totowa Salon Owner During Stage 3 Cancer Battle
Support is quickly rising for a single mother of two and Totowa salon owner as she bravely battles Stage 3 breast cancer. GinaMarie Bullaro — owner of GinaMarie Hair Studio on Union Blvd. in Totowa — was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in February, according to a GoFundMe launched for her medical expenses. After starting chemotherapy treatment in March, Gina has fearlessly endured numerous difficulties, like kidney stones, a vein infection, and a fever that left her hospitalized, the campaign says. “She kept powering through all of this while caring for her two children as a single m…
News
NJ High School Senior Battles Rare Cancer
Michael Mancusi might be battling cancer, but he won't be fighting alone. The 18-year-old Freehold Township High School senior was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, on April 12 after a small and irregular bump was found on his inner thigh, his girlfriend Macie Martin writes on this GoFundMe page. "Never did he imagine that this small growth would alter his life," she said. "Michael and his family will be facing a long hard battle for the next six months. Please consider assisting Michael and his family in this fight to defeat Rhabdomyosarcoma." Michael MancusiGoFundMe Mi…
Lifestyle
Wayne Valley Football Player's COVID Bout Ends In Cancer Diagnosis
Support is surging for a Wayne Valley High School football player battling cancer. Rocco Sivolella, 14, had a particularly rough bout of COVID-19 last January. He was taken to the hospital and soon after, diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Within weeks, he'd completed his first round of chemotherapy, according to a GoFundMe launched for his family. Rocco’s teammates and friends designed bracelets to show support. His church over the weekend published a post to Facebook asking for prayers. Please pray for Rocco 🙏 Posted by Our Lady of Consolation Church on Sunday, March 20, 2022…
News
4-Year-Old North Jersey Girl Is Battling Brain Cancer – Again
Natalie Ferguson was just three years old when her life was derailed by cancer. The bubbly 3-year-old from Hawthorne started limping seemingly out of nowhere on her right leg in December 2020. Natalie's worried parents, Sarah and Patrick, took her to the doctor immediately and, eventually, would come to learn that their little girl had a tumor on the left side of her brain. After more than a year of 33 radiation sessions and a successful surgery, Natalie was cancer free. That was in March 2021. NatalieFerguson Family Natalie and Margot Ferguson, almost 1.Ferguson Family Exactly a y…
News
Support Surges For North Jersey Lieutenant, Beloved Dad Battling Stage 4 Lymphoma
Support is skyrocketing for a North Jersey lieutenant and beloved father of three battling Stage 4 Lymphoma. Dominic Tafuri of the Essex County Department of Corrections was diagnosed with “aggressive” Stage 4 Lymphoma in December and will soon undergo several rounds of chemotherapy treatments, according to a GoFundMe launched for his medical bills. Tafuri — a former MMA fighter and loving father to Dominic, Cristina, and Matt — also faces the risk of the cancer spreading to his brain and nervous system. As a result, he will require advanced preventative treatment, which will involve seve…
News
Support Surges For Beloved Lehigh Valley Nurse, Mom Of 8 Battling Colon Cancer
Support is on the rise for a beloved Lehigh Valley nurse and mother of eight battling stage IV colon cancer. After several months of suffering from mysterious pain and fatigue, Kirsten Bickert, 42, was sent to a GI specialist and learned that she had developed a mass in her sigmoid colon on Dec. 8, according to a GoFundMe launched for her medical expenses. Bickert is known for her role as a passionate and caring nurse, as well as a mother of eight children ages seven through 18. “She has been a nurse since 2007 and loves helping and taking care of people,” reads the campaign, launched by T…
News
Young NJ Baseball Player Battling Cancer Gets Holiday Surprise From 'Phillies' (
Video
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A young New Jersey baseball player battling cancer got a one-of-a-kind surprise from the Philadelphia Phillies this week. Marlton baseball player and major Phillies fan Toby Mizrachi, 10, was recently diagnosed with B cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and started chemotherapy treatment at the CHOP over Hanukkah. Toby’s favorite team worked alongside the Marlton community to arrange a pep rally parade with his travel team, friends and fifth-grade classmates on Thursday. We recently learned that one of our biggest fans, Toby Mizrachi, is undergoing cancer treatment during what should be... Po…
News
Community Rallies For Injured North Bergen Police Officer As Fiancé Battles Brain Tumor
The migraines, seizures and dizziness Isabel Cucalon thought were symptoms of stress turned out to be something much worse: A brain tumor. The Ridgefield Park mom has had three surgeries this year to correct damage endured during the birth of her second child with fiancé Nelson Roman, since early 2021. Isabel Cucalon and Nelson Roman with their kids.GoFundMe photo Meanwhile, Roman injured his shoulder while on duty as a police officer in North Bergen. So when doctors told Cucalon that what she was experiencing was simply from stress, she believed it. But last month, when she was refer…
Police & Fire
Deadly Police Shooting Of 'Emotional, Confused' Man Battling Cancer Was Unjust, Daughter Says
It wasn't brain or lung cancer that killed a 62-year-old Berks County man battling both. Rather, a police shooting on Monday that his daughter is calling a tragic and unjust misunderstanding that could have been avoided and handled differently. Steven Hughes of Muhlenberg Township was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer early last year and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for both ever since. The treatment often leaves him confused -- according to his daughter, Anjie Leigh Hughes, of Montgomery County -- which was exactly the case Monday afternoon, when he reporte…
Lifestyle
Support Surges For Longtime NJ Diner Employee Battling Stage 3 Colon Cancer
Support is surging for a beloved Morristown Diner employee battling Stage 3 colon cancer. Francisco “Franco,” 39, has been a server at Morristown Diner for many years. With all of his family overseas, his coworkers are rallying to support him emotionally and financially after his difficult diagnosis with Stage 3 colon cancer. “Many of you know Franco as the friendly face that served you at the Morristown Diner, whether it was a late night or early morning, he was always there and ready to work,” reads a post on the diner’s Facebook page. “Now, it’s time for us to help him!” “As his extende…
Obituaries
Morris County Mom, Special Ed Teacher Jennie Byram Dies After 5-Year Breast Cancer Battle, 34
Morris County mom and special education teacher Jennie Elizabeth Byram died Jan. 22 following a five-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 34. Byram was born in the Bronx and grew up in Butler, her obituary says. She “made her childhood dream come true” by pursuing special education and teaching students in a one-on-one setting for seven years, her obituary says. Byram, who lived in Morristown at the time of her death, worked as a co-teacher at Mary Kay McMillin Early Education Center in Berkeley Heights during the last two years of her teaching career, her memorial says. Byra…
Lifestyle
End Of Chemo Marks New Beginning For Sussex County Couple
Jillian Hanson Allegretti had nearly given up on life when she says her now-husband, Max Allegretti, breathed life back into her. It's a line the Andover native included in her wedding vows -- nearly two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Through it all, Max, of Montlcair, was by her side. Back then, they weren't engaged yet. All then 25-year-old Jillian had was a promise from Max he'd be there through it all. And he was. during Jillian's last round of chemotherapy, Max asked her to be his wife (it went viral!). The couple tied the knot last month -- cancer-free. Click here…
Lifestyle
Wayne Family Faces Unimaginable As Boy Battles Cancer
Art school, driving his electric car and his little brother. These are what Wayne's Nikolas Serenkov misses most. The 3-year-old has spent the better part of this summer at Hackensack University Medical Center receiving treatment for neuroblastoma. Since his diagnosis last June, Nikolas gave up his favorite things and instead, became very painful and uncomfortable. ** CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO A GOFUNDME LAUNCHED FOR THE SERENKOV FAMILY ** Aside from the physical and emotional tolls that the Serenkovs are facing, a financial one is looming: Nikolas' mom Marina Serenkov could loose her job…
Lifestyle
Community Rallies For Newton Mom Fighting Breast Cancer
Ashley Keiling of Newton is facing two types of chemotherapy. A double mastectomy. And on top of that, life's normal stressors. A wife and mother, Ashley was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma HER2+ this summer and will be out of work while she fights. More than $23,000 had been raised as of Sept. 4 on a GoFundMe launched by Steph Logan. Prayers, words of encouragement and donations poured in from loved ones and strangers alike. Prayers poured in for Ashley.GOFUNDME Click here to donate.
Lifestyle
GoFundMe Begun For Baby From Bloomfield With Rare Medical Condition
The family of a year-and-a-half-old baby girl have started a GoFundMe campaign to help defray medical expenses incurred as doctors treat her rare and potentially fatal medical condition. Sawyer Jane Barrow was born last year with a condition known as vein of Galen malformation, in which veins don't connect to capillaries but directly to the great cerebral vein. The condition leads to an abnormally fast blood flow, which can lead to a variety of problems, including congestive heart failure, brain bleeding and seizures. Vein of Galen malformations are very rare, affecting just 1 in 3 mil…
Neighbors
ER Nurse From Union County Needs Help In Cancer Fight
As an emergency room nurse for the last 13 years, Jennifer Noone has helped countless people in medical distress. Now, she finds herself in need of help. Noone, a Clark resident who attended Roselle Catholic High School and Kean University, was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in February. A rare form of cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma affects only about 1 in 100,000 Americans. The experienced nurse contracted a sinus infection in January and knew something was wrong when it wasn’t clearing up. A visit to the doctor confirmed that she was very sick and had to begin an aggressive co…
News
Hackettstown Teen, Rowan Athlete Battling Leukemia Won't Fight Alone
A Hackettstown teen recently diagnosed with cancer won't be fighting alone. More than $24,000 had been raised on a GoFundMe for Molly Gorczyca, 19, as of Wednesday morning. The teen -- who plays field hockey for Rowan University -- will be undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for the next four or five months, the GoFundMe says. "On Wednesday, our family’s world got turned upside down," campaign founder Craig Gorczyca write. "Anybody who knows Molly knows that she is incredible strong and determined and we have full faith that she will ove…
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