Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • September 29, 2010 Emmanuel asks... Can You Help? Our hat’s off to: Araya Rebirth in Ridgewood, which has chosen Emmanuel Cancer Foundation as their charity for the month of October. We are so excited. Five percent of their gift certificate sales will be donated to ECF. For information about this fundraiser, visit araya-rebirth.com. Thanks also to Lisa from Lisa’s Turkish Kitchen for donating a gift card for our big upcoming fundraiser in January. Come celebrate with us! This will be our biggest fundraiser ever. On Jan. 8, the Northern Regional Center will host A Hollywood Bash in Ridgewood that will include a live band, food, an auction, and other surprises. Come get treated like a star. We can also use your help: Can your company, store, or restaurant donate something towards our event? How about dinner for two, a manicure/pedicure, or tickets to a sporting event? Can you help us put a brochure together? As always we rely on the community for help. Tickets will be available in the coming months. Proceeds will benefit our families in the Northern Region. We are a non-profit agency. To volunteering your time or donate an item for A 4-29-09 karen/janine EmmanuelHelp2x.75(4-29-09) 3 x .75 9-29-10 janine WaldCofCAirForceBand4x1(9-29-10) 4 x 10” Hollywood Bash, call Laura Savage at (201) 612.8118 or e-mail:laura@emmanuelcancer.org. This family needs your help: Emily was diagnosed with a brain tumor as an infant. She is now five. She has had numerous surgeries and several rounds of treatment, but the tumor remains due to its location. She has had several strokes and developed a form of Parkinson’s disease as a result of the brain tumor and treatments. Her father has fought hard for his daughter to receive the best treatments possible, often traveling great distances to speak with specialists about the risks of surgery and long-term prognosis. Emily has a great deal of medical appointments, and speech and language therapy on a weekly basis. Recently, her father was in an accident in which someone ran a red light and hit him. The other driver did not have insurance, and the family’s car was totaled. Dad borrowed money from friends and sold his wedding ring, and was able to buy a used car. However, a week later, the engine blew. The family does not know what the next move is, but they desperately need a car in order to keep up all of Emily’s appointments. Financially, the family is struggling. Dad works construction as many days of the week he can, while juggling Emily’s doctor appointments, meeting with specialists to discuss Emily’s health, and shuttling his other daughter, who is 16, to and from school activities. The family could really use any help available to help purchase another used car, or the donation of a used car. Another big need: The Northern Regional Center needs a couple of adjustable, swivel office chairs. Gently used chairs would be fine. You can help in a variety of ways. Turn your event into a fundraiser by collecting checks or gift cards, or donate your restaurant or business for a few hours to host a fundraiser of your choice. Your efforts will help us to help our families in many ways, including sending a caseworker to visit the families at their home or in the hospital. Your donations also help support ECF’s food pantry. Get your kids involved, too. We rely on the community to help support our families. Many of them do not have the financial or emotional support to help them get through a major illness like cancer. Please remember that we do not charge anything for our services. Consider becoming a volunteer, or just stop by and meet with us, take a look at our pantry, and see what ECF is all about. Volunteers are welcome to assist on Monday from 10 to 1, Wednesday from 1 to 5, and all day on Friday. Call (201) 612-8118 before you stop by. Please do not leave items at the center without checking with us first. Our storage space is limited. The Northern Regional Center is located at 174 Paterson Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Please visit us on the web at: www.emmanuelcancer.org. As always, thank you for helping the children and their families! A personal note from David Johnson: I never imagined writing my last article for ECF. I have had the privilege of being the northern regional director for over 12 years. As such, part of my duties included writing this article nearly every week. Unfortunately, I have had to talk about real people in tough, dire circumstances. Luckily, I have been able to witness countless miracles and acts of kindness by many readers in our community. Those miracles people in need. That has been the best part of the job -- meeting the wonderful people who give the items needed for our families, who volunteer time, and who contribute to our cause. The other part of the work that has deeply impacted me has been the incredible opportunity to speak with the parents of kids diagnosed with cancer and to witness the courage they bring forth when facing unbearable circumstances. That courage has always inspired me. By the time that you read this, Laura Savage will be the new regional director. By background, she is a case worker and fully understands the circumstances the families face. She welcomes your support on all levels, and I urge you to contact her and let her know how you might be able to help. ECF’s biggest needs remain: people to help write a check, people to coordinate a fundraiser, and people to help put a few hours in each week volunteering. Thank you for all of your support!