Sweet Brayden

Humbled to share the story of sweet Brayden and his family. We heard about Brayden through a friend of our family through Facebook and knew immediately we had to help. Brayden at just 4 years old has been fighting a significant battle with DIPG, a rare form of childhood brain cancer, since he was 2.5 years old. His health has taken a decline over the past few weeks and he is no longer able to speak to make his needs known. Brayden’s parents have both stopped working for the time being to take the time to spend with Brayden and his twin brother Landon. We made a donation to them to help cover their living expenses and medical costs as they don’t know what the future holds for Brayden or their family.

The Ackermann have been on our minds nonstop. We are sending a lot of love, prayers, and hope to their whole family.

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Grateful Mandie D!

A big shout out to sweet Mandie, our latest patient, who not only has been impacted by cancer, but has had severe side effects from her bone marrow transplants. We know all too well that the cancer road throws you many detours that you cannot prepare for. This sweet lady always has a smile on her face and is the centerpiece of these five siblings. 

Mandie told us that she is grateful, but WE are grateful to have the opportunity to do what we do through TheZippyfund and remember every day what’s really important. 

Lots of prayers, hope and strength being sent to Mandie and the entire DiCarlo family!

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Polite and quiet, but one heck of a fighter!

In the spirit of focusing on giving during the holiday season, The Zippy Fund supported sweet Gabby (pictured in the center here on Haloween) and her family.

At just 9 years old, Gabby is battling T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She is described as polite and quiet, but one heck of a fighter. Her mom stopped working to be with her during her treatment, so we sent some cheer to Gabby and her three siblings to enjoy the holidays with.

Lots of love, strength, and prayers being sent to the entire Cox family as they continue their battle into 2018!!

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Rooting for River!

The ZippyFund does our best to connect what we do with our network who know a child battling cancer. This little guy is a result of that. 

At just 3 years old, River was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia pre B cell. We were able to provide some financial assistance to his family as they are down to one income and burdened with medical bills on top of focusing on the health of their son. 

In all of the photos we saw of River he always has a big grin on his face. You are one amazing boy! Sending love, strength and prayers from NJ to Charlotte, NC 💜💚 We’re “Rooting for River”!!!

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Trust Me, I'm A Hero

This sweet boy is our latest Zippyfund patient. At just 5 years old, Alex is battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. His rock star mom was his liver donor when her baby was just 9 months old. 

Alex is receiving the amazing care of CHOP in Philly, PA as he fights the good fight. We provided some financial assistance to their family as his parents take leave from their profressions to be with Alex and his sister Rosie. 

This shirt was a part of the package we gave to Alex, "Trust Me, I'm A Hero" it reads. Alex, you sure are a hero, we SALUTE you, are praying for you and sending you much MUCH love. 

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Our First Scholarship Recipient!

We are thrilled to share our first recipient of our May campaign scholarship !!

A resident of Mendham, NJ, the handsome Doyle, is battling T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. His family has gone through much in addition to his illness and in need of financial support, especially since Doyle will be a rising freshman at the University of Maine this September. We are thrilled to share that he is the first recipient of our 17 for 2017 Scholarship. We worked directly with the University of Maine to ensure these funds went directly to Doyle’s tuition.

Congratulations to Doyle on entering his freshman year! We wish you all the best and can’t wait until your graduation day in 2021.

Remember, these funds came DIRECTLY from all of YOU in support of our May 17 for 2017 Campaign. THANK YOU from the bottom of heart!! YOU make it possible for The Zippy Fund to fulfill our mission and support patients like Doyle!!

Much Zippyfund love always!

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Santiago the Courageous !

When we started The Zippy Fund, Zippy was adamant about ensuring we also provide emotional/mental support to patients. He believes in giving back and sharing his experiences in the hopes that it will help others who are going through their cancer battle.

" I want to thank everyone whoever brought me kitkats in the hospital during my battles with cancer. I was able to pay it forward and meet an incredible pediatric cancer patient last night who will be able to leave the hospital on August 1st. Another courageous kid to conquer this relentless disease."

Sweet Sweet Melanie !!

Our latest patient, 13 year old Melanie, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in March of this year! Her birthday is this month and we sent her family some financial assistance to help alleviate the stress Cancer causes. Sending a lot of love to the DiDomizio family as Melanie continues to fight the battle!! You're all in our thoughts and prayers

Girly Girl Londyn

Our latest girly girl patient Londyn is battling leukemia. She has a rigorous treatment plan, so her momma had to step back from work as a certified medical assistant. We are thrilled to provide some financial help as they fight the fight. We're all rooting for the Jackson family & Londyn !!

The power of social media - Nico's Ninjas

The power of social media and spreading the word of our fund has lead us to The Zippy Fund's latest patient, Nico Oneto.

This 9 year old fighter has been on quite the journey battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Today he starts his latest road to a second bone marrow transplant after extensive chemo and radiation has not worked. 

Nico's family has a bond like no other and reminds us so much of our family. We need our entire Zippyfund community to send out thoughts, prayers and strength to the Oneto family.

Sending a whole lot of Zippyfund love and remembering that #Zippystrong is a universal term 💚💜

For more on this incredible family and updates on Nico, follow them on Facebook at "Nico's Ninjas"

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Giving Tuesday - David

In the spirit of #givingtuesday, The Zippy Fund is honored to support the Pagan family.

Three year old David was diagnosed this summer with Retinoblastoma of the right eye. He received several rounds of treatment directly to his eye, which ultimately causes his retina to detach. Doing reattachment surgery would have been too risky (cancer could easily metastasize), so his eye was removed on 9/22/16.

HAPPY to share that from there his family was given the news of "Cancer free" and he will be receiving his new prosthetic eye this month! 

Sending love and the happiest holiday wishes to David, his mom and dad, Lauren and Bert and big brother Oliver 💚💜

Meet the beautiful Gina!

 

Meet the beautiful Gina!! The Zippy Fund was able to support Gina through the purchase of this wig she is rocking as she battles secondary malignancy !!

Special shoutout to the Cammarata family as despite what they are going through, they nominated another patient to The Zippy Fund. You told us we inspire you, but Gina and your family inspire us. 

Sending much love, strengths and prayers💚💜🙏

Jimmy here is a one heck of a fighter.....

At 18 years old, he has been battling Leukemia for many years and overcome many complications yet that smile still remains on his face. He was fortunate enough to graduate highschool in June and make a surprise appearance to receive his diploma, however, college has been put on hold for now. Most recently Jimmy had a bone marrow transplant that was successful.

Jimmy's mom, Kim, told us that many people tell Jimmy he is their hero for being so brave despite all he has been through. We couldn't think of a better way to put it. You are a hero Jimmy and we are rooting for you 💜💚🙏

Keep Jade in your thoughts and prayers!

Jade is battling Pre B Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here parents were forced to move from their home on September 1 to more affordable housing closer to the hospital. The Zippy Fund is helping to assist with the financial burden of the move. Jade's mother does not drive, so they need to be very close to Morristown Memorial and our beloved Valerie Fund Center so she can receive her treatments. Jade was diagnosed with the disease while living in Guatemala, which is a country extremely close to our hearts because it is where our cousin Christian was born. 

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Although Sadie is small, she is fierce.

Sadie defines toughness. Earlier this summer, she had to have surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in her kidney. Just last week, Doctor's told Sadie's family that a WilmsTumor metastisized from her kidney onto her lungs. The Zippy Fund has offered to help Sadie's family financially as the bills are quickly adding up. Her father was forced to take a leave from work and her mother's hours are significantly cut down due to the medical procedures. Please keep Sadie in your hearts. It's stories like Sadie's that we can continue to provide for with your support.  

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Make-A-Wish & The Zippy Fund Partnership

Thrilled to share that The Zippy Fund partnered with Make A Wish on their "Adopt A Wish" Program!!

Johanna is a seven-year old girl from NJ battling leukemia. She loves the movie Frozen, eating Starburst, Carrabba's Italian Grill and her favorite color is purple. When asked "If you could have one wish, what would it be?"....Johanna wished to go to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas because she loves animals and wants to swim with the dolphins! This summer her wish will be granted as she and her family are whisked away to the Bahamas!

The Zippy Fund couldn't be prouder to be the support behind the fulfilling of Johanna's wish 💜💚🙏

When Zippy was sick, Make-A-Wish granted his wish to take our entire family to Fiji. We'll never forget the memories our family celebrated together after his long battles, and hope we've given Johanna's family that same feeling - it will last a lifetime.