Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 1, 2014 We are grateful to all who have helped replenish our food pantry with much- needed paper goods and cleaning supplies. Our families still need the following items: toilet tissue, paper towels, tissues, diapers (stages four and six) laundry detergent, and all types of cleaning supplies. Many of our children need to be in a sterile environment while their immunity builds. We are in the beginning stages of plan- ning our Fifth Annual Bash. It will be held at The Brick House on Friday, March 6, 2015. ECF is providing support to over 200 families. Your sponsorship will help us continue our free programs. Volunteers are also needed to help plan and run this event. Meet Jovan: Although he appears shy and reserved, one would never know that Jovan has been bravely battling bone cancer for the past 18 months. Through his resilience, he has tried to live his life as a typical teenager would. Like many other young men his age, Jovan loves spending time with his family, his girlfriend, and beating his older brother in video games. When Jovan was first diagnosed, he under- went surgery to remove his femur and knee, followed by extensive chemotherapy. Jovan has gone through so much while maintain- ing a positive attitude and a gentle smile on his face. Recently, Jovan’s cancer returned. He is now on his third clinical trial with the hopes of once again going into remission. He remains positive and constantly smil- ing even though he is exhausted from his almost daily trips into New York City for treatment. The side effects of his treatments have been substantial, including lethargy, difficulty walking, and pain. Jovan con- tinues to take each day as it comes with unwavering strength and a strong will to improve. Because of his treatment side effects, Jovan spends many days resting at home. To keep him busy during these long days, he relies on activities that involve his two favorite things: superheroes and video games. Best Buy or GameStop gift cards would allow Jovan to obtain a few more games and movies so his days at home would be more enjoyable. Due to the financial strain of Jovan’s ill- ness, his family would greatly appreciate gift cards for gas (for those trips to NYC) and groceries. Any gift card donation pro- vided will help ease the financial burden of Jovan’s illness and provide his family with the assistance they need during this diffi- cult time. ECF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a variety of specialized services, at no charge, to any New Jersey family facing the challenges of caring for a child with cancer. ECF provides profes- sional counseling, material goods (such as household items, toys, and monthly grocery deliveries), and emergency financial assis- tance. These individually tailored services are critical in helping families get through the crisis of pediatric cancer. ECF does not receive government fund- ing, so the community’s financial support, donations, and volunteer time are essen- tial. Please call the Northern Regional Center at (201) 612-8118 or e-mail Laura at laura@emmanuelcancer.org to see how you can help. • We need volunteers who can deliver groceries to families in Bergen and Essex counties. • Turn your event into a fundraiser and collect checks or gift cards for our families. • Get the kids involved. Proceeds from fundraisers such as bake sales and lemon- ade stands help make a difference. • Is your group looking for a community service project? Consider collecting items for our food pantry. • Is your Scout Troop looking to earn badges? This is a great way to get creative and have fun while learning about philan- thropy. • Does your company have a charitable giving program? If so, please let us know. If you have a few hours a week to spare, consider becoming a volunteer or just stop by and see what ECF is all about. The Northern Regional Center is located at 174 Paterson Avenue in Midland Park. Please call (201) 612-8118 before you stop by. Because storage space is limited, please do not leave items at the center without check- ing with us first. For more information, visit us at www.emmanuelcancer.org or “like” us on Facebook: EmmanuelCancer- Foundation. As always, thank you for help- ing the children and their families!