In January of 2013, I was a seventh grader and diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was scared, but the medical and nursing staff at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital led by Dr. Mitchell Cairo calmed my fears. I knew that I would receive the best care in the world. I had great support from my family, friends, and teammates. This support group was named “Team Gilly”, in honor of my nickname.
I directly benefitted from the work of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF), which supports the Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation program at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. I was cancer-free in exactly three months and was able to get back to all the activities that I love so much. In the Spring of 2016, I was able to help Fordham Prep win a NY State Championship in Lacrosse. I could not have asked for a better outcome in battling my disease. Thank you PCF!
As an 8th grade girl getting prepared for high school, at the age of 13, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have since turned to Pediatric Cancer Foundation to show my eternal support and appreciation for the cause. I will never forget in 2001, at the very end of my middle school years, when I endured intense weekly chemotherapy treatments for six months at Westchester Medical Center. I always say I lost my strength and my hair but never my hope. Thanks to an overwhelming amount of support, including from Pediatric Cancer Foundation, I am proud to be a survivor and cancer-free.
Pediatric Cancer Foundation does an amazing job in getting the community involved in this great cause. It is truly incredible and touching to see people help fight this fight for you and with you. The supporters are everyday people who encourage and give us love and hope. Hope for a world where one day no child will ever have to hear the word “cancer” again. In the meantime, let’s walk. together, strive together, hope together and most importantly …hold the hand of a child together to one day get closer to a cure.
PCF was a tremendous emotional support system for our family. At the same time, we learned about how PCF was funding important research projects at the hospitals where Daniel was getting his chemotherapy and radiation. Now that he is well again, our family is so pleased to work hand-in-hand with PCF. We are committed to giving back to an amazing organization as well as to other children and their families who are stricken with cancer. We all share the determination to find a cure for childhood cancer.