NJ Teacher Diagnosed With Cancer 'Never Backs Down From Fight' NJ Teacher Diagnosed With Cancer 'Never Backs Down From Fight'
NJ Teacher Diagnosed With Cancer 'Never Backs Down From Fight' Support is surging for a Central Jersey teacher who recently received a devastating diagnosis: Synovial cell sarcoma, a very rare type of soft tissue cancer. Kristen Donahue-Doulis, a mom of three from Hillsborough, has spent nearly 20 years working as a teacher in the Montgomery Township School District. A GoFundMe page for her family had raised more than $25,000 as of Tuesday, Dec. 13 — nearly a month after her diagnosis. A meal train was also established for the family. "Kristen loves her students and the incredible staff she works with," the page says. "She has a magnetic persona…
Bergen County Dad's Aggressive Brain Cancer Started As Confusion, Pounding Headache Bergen County Dad's Aggressive Brain Cancer Started As Confusion, Pounding Headache
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…
Sheriff's Officer, Marine, School Board Trustee Timothy O'Hare Always Wanted Best For Others Sheriff's Officer, Marine, School Board Trustee Timothy O'Hare Always Wanted Best For Others
Sheriff's Officer, Marine, School Board Trustee Timothy O'Hare Always Wanted Best For Others If someone tells you that Tim O'Hare was one of a rare breed, believe them. Because they're right. Timothy M. O'Hare -- father, husband, Marine, school board member, Bergen County sheriff's officer and much more -- died the morning of Sunday, Nov. 20. He was 50 years old. O'Hare loved his wife and kids fiercely. He served his country proudly. And he moved through the world with a joy and enthusiasm that nothing -- not even a lengthy, valiant battle against cancer -- could quench. O'Hare, of Waldwick, returned home a week ago Sunday to spend his final days with Lisa, their children, Connor…
Cancer-Causing Chemical Found In More Shampoo Products, Independent Laboratory's Study Reveals Cancer-Causing Chemical Found In More Shampoo Products, Independent Laboratory's Study Reveals
Cancer-Causing Chemical Found In More Shampoo Products, Independent Laboratory's Study Reveals An independent laboratory is reporting that it has found a cancer-causing chemical in more batches of shampoo products.  Many brands of dry shampoo products -- including some Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI, and TRESemmé products -- had already been recalled by manufacturer Unilever containing the cancer-causing chemical benzene in an announcement made on Tuesday, Oct. 18. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the independent laboratory Valisure, based in New Haven, CT, reported finding a high level of benzene in more batches of dry shampoo. It said that high levels of benzene were found in 70 per…
Sparta Football Player Battling Aggressive Bone Cancer At Age 11 Gets Wave Of Community Support Sparta Football Player Battling Aggressive Bone Cancer At Age 11 Gets Wave Of Community Support
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 …
Lehigh Valley Community Rallies For Beloved 12-Year-Old Girl Battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Lehigh Valley Community Rallies For Beloved 12-Year-Old Girl Battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Lehigh Valley Community Rallies For Beloved 12-Year-Old Girl Battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma The Lehigh Valley community is coming together to support a beloved 12-year-old girl undergoing a brave fight against Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Emily FaRannte of Hellertown was just like any other girl her age. From the soccer field to the dance studio, Emily had countless passions, Hellertown Borough says in a Facebook post. But when Emily started feeling shoulder pain in May, a number of doctor appointments determined the cause to be a mass called Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkins). Several grueling medical tests later, Emily was admitted to the Children’s Hospital o…
Mom Says She Found Toxic Chemicals At NJ School Where 94 People Developed Brain Tumors: Report Mom Says She Found Toxic Chemicals At NJ School Where 94 People Developed Brain Tumors: Report
Mom Says She Found Toxic Chemicals At NJ School Where 94 People Developed Brain Tumors: Report An environmental scientist and mother of two students at a Central Jersey high school where nearly 100 people developed brain tumors says she's found evidence of toxic chemicals around the building, reports NJ Advance Media. Various samples of window caulk, soil and dust collected by Edyta Komorek from Colonia High Schoo apparently contained high levels of the carcinogenic compounds polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide, the outlet said. Upon presenting the discovery to district officials, Woodbridge Schools Superintendent Joseph Massi…
Anthony Somma Of Toms River Remembered As 'Born Entertainer' Anthony Somma Of Toms River Remembered As 'Born Entertainer'
Anthony Somma Of Toms River Remembered As 'Born Entertainer' Anthony Somma of Toms River died on Sept. 15 at Cooper University Medical Center after a five-year battle against Ewing Sarcoma, his obituary says. He was 27 years old. A New Year's Eve baby, Anthony was born to entertain, his obit reads. He had a passion for musical theater and "lit up every room he entered." Anthony graduated from Toms River High School East (2014) and pursued a degree in radio, film and broadcasting at Rowan University. However, fate had other plans for Anthony, who was diagnosed with cancer during his college career. In 2017, he enrolled in online classes at Troy …
Fearless Cancer Battle Claims Life Of Devoted 12-Year Pequannock EMT Days After Wedding, 33 Fearless Cancer Battle Claims Life Of Devoted 12-Year Pequannock EMT Days After Wedding, 33
Fearless Cancer Battle Claims Life Of Devoted 12-Year Pequannock EMT Days After Wedding, 33 Twelve-year Pequannock rescue squad member Matthew J. Mudd died after a fearless battle with cancer on Thursday, Sept. 29, just six days after his wedding. He was 33. Born in Bloomingdale, Matthew grew up in Kinnelon, where he graduated from Kinnelon High School, his obituary says. Matthew went on to attend Hudson County Community College and William Paterson University and had worked as a Territory Sales Manager for Makita USA, according to his memorial. Matthew was known for his endless passion and ability to help others. He fostered seven dogs during the pandemic with his wife, Katie, …
North Jersey Labor And Delivery Nurse, Dedicated Mom Of 3 Dies After Fearless Cancer Battle, 35 North Jersey Labor And Delivery Nurse, Dedicated Mom Of 3 Dies After Fearless Cancer Battle, 35
North Jersey Labor And Delivery Nurse, Dedicated Mom Of 3 Dies After Fearless Cancer Battle, 35 North Jersey labor nurse and dedicated mother of three Kristin M. Trail died following a fearless battle with cancer on Monday, Sept. 19. She was 35. Born in Norwood Massachusetts, Kristin grew up in Abington and spent time in Boston, Virginia, and Key West before settling in Augusta in 2018, her obituary says. Kristin attended American University and George Washington University in Washington DC, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in both health promotions and nursing, according to her memorial. Kristin was incredibly devoted during her long career as a Registered Nurse in the Labor and…
Beloved Lehigh Valley Native, Talented Guitarist Dies After Courageous Cancer Battle, 35 Beloved Lehigh Valley Native, Talented Guitarist Dies After Courageous Cancer Battle, 35
Beloved Lehigh Valley Native, Talented Guitarist Dies After Courageous Cancer Battle, 35 Beloved Lehigh Valley native and talented guitarist Jason Ryan Hahn died at his home in Bethlehem on Thursday, Sept. 8 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 35. Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Jason graduated from Liberty High School in 2005, his obituary says. Jason went on to attend the University of New Haven, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music in 2009. Jason had worked as a manager at Tanczos Beverages in Bethlehem, his memorial says. He was better known for his incredible finger-style guitar skills and played regular shows at Godfrey Daniels Coffee House in Bethle…
'Long Road Ahead': Fundraiser Launched For Passaic County Family Who Lost Home In Fire 'Long Road Ahead': Fundraiser Launched For Passaic County Family Who Lost Home In Fire
'Long Road Ahead': Fundraiser Launched For Passaic County Family Who Lost Home In Fire April Santangelo's successful battle with cancer was tough enough for her and her family. Then their West Milford home burned down over the Labor Day weekend. Santangelo and her husband, John, raised three children in the house on Pinecliff Lake over the past 19 years -- Jake, Ashley, and Tyler. Although the fire was devastating, the resilient mom said, they're all "very, very grateful" that they and their pets are all OK. Friends weren't surprised by April's reaction. The Santangelos are "some of the kindest and most positive people I know," wrote longtime friend Jennifer Dee, citing …