Our Impact

ERICA

Erica is a 5-year old girl diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of her left femur in April 2016. At the time of her diagnosis, she was living with her grandmother in Ecuador while her parents worked in New Jersey. One week after her diagnosis, a devastating earthquake struck Ecuador and she was unable to receive treatment there. Her parents brought her to the Children's Cancer Institute at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in May to begin treatment, and she received four intensive courses of chemotherapy. Despite the positive response to the treatment, the tumor had invaded the tissues and veins, and a leg amputation was required. Doctors performed an above-the knee amputation in August. Erica is an only child. Her parents are divorced and both actively involved in her life. Erica’s mother left her job upon diagnosis and her father has taken numerous unpaid days off from work to meet the demands of treatment and drive Erica and her mother to every hospital appointment. Erica is currently stable and is receiving additional cycles of chemotherapy and weekly physical therapy in preparation for a prosthetic leg. The financial assistance from The Jillian Fund to both parents have allowed them to provide care and support to Erica during this difficult period.

PO Box 582
Montvale, NJ 07645

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