Beneficiaries
For the last four years the NJ Kids with Cancer Benefit has provided help to local children with severe cancer. Listed below are four children who have been identified by leading pediatric cancer centers and social work teams here in central NJ, as having dire medical and financial needs.
Christian...
...a wonderful 8 year old is suffering with Leukemia. His family has struggled financially all throughout Christian's diagnosis and treatment. They just cannot make ends meet. Mom is in and out of work. Dad does not get paid if he doesn't work. They have two older 12 year- old twin boys at home. Christian's diagnosis and treatment have left a toll on this family. Dad's mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and requires nursing home placement. Mom's mother has cancer. There are many family stressors. The financial stressors are overwhelming.
Kian...
...is a young girl with brain cancer that has spread to her bones. She is receiving intensified treatment. The family's income has been greatly reduced. Her father is a firefighter and her mother was forced to leave her job to care for her daughter. Sweet and very kind-natured, Kian misses school and her friends.
Kevin...
...is a teenager with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. His mother is a house cleaner. Kevin has been devastated by his illness. He and his family will require ongoing help such as food, clothing and assistance with rent as his mother must now spend most of her time caring for her son.
Joshua...
...a young boy and the smallest of 4 siblings, has Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. His dad is a firefighter and his mom is a nursing student. His dad also works several part-time jobs to support the care Joshua needs. Their income is extremely stressed due to Joshua's illness.