Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • March 20, 2013 people who attended and to the local businesses for their support. Be sure to visit our Facebook page for photos. Needs: Our families who were affected by Hurricane Sandy will continue to have many needs long after the repairs are done. Please call us to see how you can help. The following are needed to help these and some of our other local families: • New or gently-used clothing for boys ages 10 and up • New twin and queen size sheets • Stage 3 diapers and baby wipes • Cake mix and icing for birthday bags • A computer hard drive • A twin bed and a dresser • DVD players • Microwaves and toaster ovens • Test strips for one of our diabetic kids • A silverware set • Easter baskets and treats and hams. We have a freezer to store them. Meet Giovanni: Giovanni is a 19-year old who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma six years ago. Ewing’s sarcoma is a primary bone cancer that mainly affects children and adolescents. Although he struggled throughout his entire middle and high school journey due to his illness, he finally became a high school graduate. This was a proud moment for the entire family and something worth celebrating. Giovanni’s parents and sisters are very supportive of him and continue to stand by him as he once again relapsed after the 2012 holiday season. This time, the painful cancer spread to his spine. Giovanni was able to attend the holiday party held in the southern region, looking like a normal young adult. However, he does not gain weight, does not get taller, and appears very young for his age. His family suspects that these external symptoms are due to his cancer diagnosis and aggressive treatments. For the past six years, Giovanni has experienced pain and swelling in his arm, leg, chest, back, and pelvis. The pain gets progressively worse. He also experiences swelling and limited range of motion of his primary joints and struggles with periodic fevers and much discomfort. Giovanni has relapsed five times since his diagnosis. Each time, the family remains hopeful that he will get up, face another day, and deal with the challenges of the moment. Recently, his family expressed concerns for Giovanni’s latest relapse. They feel that he is not as hopeful as before. Giovanni does have one wish, and that is to take a trip to Walt Disney World with his family. The challenge is that the family has limited funds to cover the full cost of the trip and is seeking support from anyone who is willing to help. Emmanuel Cancer Foundation is now celebrating 30 years of providing exceptional free services to families all over New Jersey. If you would care to make a contribution to honor this milestone, imagine how much good we could do with $30 from every reader! ECF is seeking volunteers to help with a 2013 holiday party for our families. Can you provide food, gifts, activities, or crafts for our kids and their families? Please let us know. You can help us in a variety of ways. Turn your event into a fundraiser, and collect checks or gift cards for our families. Your efforts help us to help families in many ways, including sending a case worker to visit the families at their home or in the hospital. This support for the kids, their siblings, and parents is crucial. Get your kids involved, too. Some have held sales or events and donated the proceeds to ECF. Is your Cub Scout or Girl (continued on page 11) Our hat’s off to: Green Twig Nursery School for their food drive. Thanks to all who supported our recent fundraiser at The Brick House. It was a fantastic evening. Approximately 150 people enjoyed delicious food, beverages, and fantastic music by DJ Planet Antonio. The success of this third annual event was due mainly to out team of amazing volunteers: Dot Meagher, Tara McCarty, Valerie Jacklin, Gina Polverino, Meryl Shattuck, and Terry Maher. Aldo Cascio and his fantastic staff did a superb job. Roxanne Evans and her crew from News 12 New Jersey made the night so special while interviewing our two guest speakers. We were lucky to have had 16-year old Leslie and 22-year old Jessica who came with their families. Roxanne and the girls brought the crowd to a standstill. Their courage and strength is very inspiring. In our audience sat some of ECF volunteers, including board member Dr. Gregory Menken and his family, Maureen O’Connor-Lee and Carole Garmendia, Judy Bienstock, Julie Greaney and her family (we did a tribute to her mother Joyce, who recently passed away and was a long time ECF volunteer), Joe Lehey, and Jackie and Pete Bolten. We are so grateful to all the