It’s natural for 2 year olds to be curious. They want to grab, shake, and eat (!) everything they can get their hands on. For Derek, however, being curious can be a bit frustrating when you can’t hold anything heavier than a few ounces.

At three weeks of age, Derek was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA 1). This rare autosomal recessive genetic condition destroys motor neuron function. Because of this, Derek has severely limited movement (needing to be carried everywhere and turned during sleep), respiratory complications, and loss of swallowing ability.

To assist with his needs, Derek’s family (Mom Megan, Dad David, and 6-year-old brother Alex) have had to adapt their home dramatically. Derek is constantly monitored either by family members or nurses. He needs to be fed every four hours during the day and is attached to a feeding pump at night. He has equipment to assist with breathing, suctioning, and movement.

Despite these hardships, Derek is a smiling trooper. With regular cognitive functioning, Derek is aware of his surrounding and wants to participate in all activities. Outdoor activities require a personal cooling system as Derek has difficulty managing his body temperature.

Not surprisingly, the costs for Derek’s family are mounting. While David continues to work as a member of the New York Police Department, Megan has been on child care leave to take care of Derek’s needs. Financial assistance will allow the family to continue purchasing the necessary components of Derek’s treatment and the desired extras to give Derek a happy life.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Derek and families like his. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

Like most little brothers, Michael (aged 10) looks up to his big brother. Bobby (only two years Michael’s senior) realizes, however, that Michael’s adulation is a bit different than that of other little brothers. At the age of 4 1/2, Michael looked to be as athletic as his brother. However, he often complained to parents Rob and Theresa about pain in his legs. What seemed to be nothing of great consequence at first, a regular doctor’s visit combined with blood tests confirmed something much more serious – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

This disease (affecting 1 in 3500 boys worldwide) is the leading fatal genetic childhood disease. Devastated by the news, Theresa (pregnant at the time) worried that her unborn child may also be a carrier of the disease. Fortunately, that was not the case. Michael’s new sister Victoria was born in good health.

While Michael has been able to attend school, his regiment requires a lot of help on the part of his parents including regular stretching, electrotherapy, aqua therapy, and more. The parents began the charity Michael’s Cause in order to help raise awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and funds for the research cause.

Michael’s mobility remains intact for now, although a scooter is used on longer trips. Steps are proving to be too difficult for Michael to climb, and plans are in place to renovate the family home to add a first floor bedroom, bathroom, and elevator. Dad Rob (a sergeant in the NYPD) has received assistance from Staten Island (NY) Building Foundation to make the necessary renovations, but costs still remain high.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Michael and families like his. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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Being a princess is something many little girls aspire to. However, with Gabby, it is a Cinderella story much different than your typical tale.

At only 10 weeks old, Gabby was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that claims the lives of 90% of affected children before the age of 1. Gabby’s mom, Suzanne, was able to acquire from hospitals and doctors numerous machines that would allow Gabby the ability to breathe. She had also lost the ability to swallow and needed a feeding tube to receive nutrition. She had over 10 long-term hospital visits during her first year alone.

Today, Gabby is 8. While this has certainly exceeded doctors’ expectations, she is confined to a wheelchair as she cannot move or support her head. She is unable to speak, utilizing eye typing software to communicate. She requires a life support ventilator at all times as well as other machines that measure her oxygen levels, trachea, and heart rate. This constant care requires 24-hour nursing, although a nurse is not always available to give Gabby the care she needs.

Suzanne needed to quit her job as a teacher in order to care for Gabby when nurses were unavailable. While mom is needed for care, the lack of income has become very trying on the family (which includes older daughter Madison, aged 9). A single mom, Suzanne is left to keep the family afloat emotionally and financially.

Recently, the family was able to acquire a van to allow Gabby to take outings – something she truly enjoys. Despite her physical handicaps, Gabby’s mind is 100% intact. She enjoys reading, horses, and having her hair and nails done – anything to be a princess. In fact, “Princess” is the moniker that her schoolmates gave her. Yes, Gabby attends school two times a day via Skype. Her classmates love her. She returns that affection serving as her class’s “birthday club” president.

With a great support system, this favorite daughter of Monroe, NY has the care and love she needs. However, even Cinderella needed a hand from her fairy godmother. Gabby’s needs far exceed that of a pretty dress and a ride to the ball. Help us give Gabby and her family the fairy tale ending they deserve.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Gabby and families like hers. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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As a parent, there is nothing quite like watching your child be successful. For parents Josephine and Enrico, this was a regular occurrence when dealing with their daughter Julia. One of four children, this vibrant 12-year-old excelled at all facets of her life whether it was in her school, her church, or the playing field. Earlier this year, however, life took an abrupt change.

What began as abdominal pain on a regular spring day turned into a summer full of visits to emergency rooms, doctors, and specialists of every kind with the same results – an undiagnosed condition. Some medical professional even suggested that the fevers, back and neck pain, rashes, hair loss, decreased mental status, twitching, and slurred speech were conditions that were “all in her head.”

Today, Julia is in a wheelchair – all sensation in her legs lost – due to what has been diagnosed as a combination of Lyme’s disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, due to the rarity of the condition, her family’s insurance will not cover most of the necessary treatment and physical therapy – treatments such as daily medicines costing around $250 to $400 and surgeries costing between $5,000 to $8,000. These costs are now being paid out of the family’s savings. Julia is also on various supplements to help her body tolerate the meds, detoxify her and protect her and are at a current cost of over $500.00 a month. This has also been a logistical nightmare, with a special organic, paleo diet, which is very expensive to maintain, separating Julia from her mom and siblings to relocate to a family home in Catskill, NY, and deal with all the expenses of running a second home, plus deal with an hour commute to Albany every day. They are a family of six now living on only one salary.

Father Enrico has had to leave his job as a Respiratory Therapist in order to care for his daughter, and the expenses continue to mount. In the meantime, Julia remains an upbeat pre-teen. She is unable to be at school or even be homeschooled as the strain on her brain becomes too challenging after a prolonged period of time. Still, Julia remains a presence at her school. Recently, her schoolmates gathered to form a huge J to photograph themselves in honor of their friend. Here’s a way for you to get in the J with them.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Julia and families like hers. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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There is nothing like being a parent for the first time, except maybe being a grandparent for the first time. For Summer’s family, it was firsts all around – first time parents (Bob and Gina) and grandparents on both sides. Summer brought joy to her new family, but that great joy was coupled with sadness as well. Right before a regularly scheduled well visit, Bob noticed a protrusion in his daughter’s stomach. This led to immediate ultrasounds, CAT scans, and blood samples – all of which led to the discovery of hepatoblastoma (liver cancer).

Chemotherapy started quickly, and Summer has recently completed her second round of treatment. Despite being poked and prodded, 9-month old Summer remains a trooper – delighting nurses and doctors with her seemingly permanent smile.

Despite the excellent care Summer is receiving at NY Presbyterian Hospital, trips into the city from New Jersey are definitely taking their toll. Bob and Gina are planning to move in with family in order to avoid mortgage costs and, more importantly, receive much needed assistance in Summer’s care as they return to work.

Recently, Summer has been making the attempt to walk – always a major moment in a child’s life and a huge source of pride for parents. We want to help make sure Summer and her family experience many more moments even bigger than this one.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Summer and families like hers. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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For most young people, senior year of high school is a year to make great memories. A time to relish the moment and prepare for the future. For 16-year-old Micah, however, senior year will begin with uncertainty.

Earlier this year, Micah was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Treatments began immediately and will continue well into the fall. Due to this necessary treatment, Micah was unable to complete his junior year and is likely to miss at least a month of his senior year. Dreams of college may also need to go on hold, and it’s not just because of the treatment.

Natives of Maui, Hawaii, Micah and his family have had to had to deal with many financial hardships. The only place Micah can receive care is in Honolulu at the Kapiolani Children’s Hospital — 30 minutes away by plane. Although doctors recommend returning home after each round of treatment, round trip flights can be up to $350 per person. Rental cars, flights, and medical bills have added up for the parents that are unable to work in order to care for Micah full-time. Insurance has declined to cover all of the treatments.

Micah wants to be home playing basketball and video games with friends, getting ready for the prom that he missed during his junior year, and making plans for college. We want him there too.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Micah and families like his. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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Like many boys his age, Colin loves nature. Fishing in Long Island became a favorite pastime. However, watching Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel became this eight-year-old’s closest connection with nature for a time as being outdoors was not an option and long hospital stays became the norm.

Christmas Eve, 2011. A time of excitement and hope for most people was a day that parents Jenn and Kevin would not forget. On this day, Colin (the oldest of three boys) was diagnosed with leukemia. Jenn quit her job as an advertising recruiter to help care for him, and Kevin (a retired fire fighter) spent many days taking his son to the hospital for treatment. The chemotherapy began, but Colin did not respond as doctors hoped he would. A bone marrow transplant was needed, and, unfortunately, neither brother (Brody, 5, and Ryan, 1 ) was a match.

A transplant did take place in July 2012, and after months in the hospital recovering Colin was able to return home. During this time, Colin was not permitted to leave home or have visitors as the risk of infection was too high. The transplant seemed to be successful and Colin eventually returned to school and finished 2nd grade, and had an enjoyable summer with his family. In the fall of 2013, however, Colin relapsed and began treatment at NYU.

The Queens, NY family continues to care for their beloved son in the hopes that his outdoor adventures won’t be relegated to the TV screen.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Colin and families like his. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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Planning a family trip can be a very stressful event, especially when taking kids away from home for a long period of time. For parents Kim and Tony, this stress level was taken to the extreme for this was no pleasure trip. Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations were cut short to prepare for a three-month trip to Minnesota in order to have care for their son, 8-year-old Anthony. It would not be the last time the family needed to take the trip.

After suffering a concussion in the summer of 2013, Anthony was diagnosed with having a rare incurable genetic condition, Cerebral X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy as well as Addison’s Disease. These life-threatening conditions required Anthony to receive an immediate bone marrow transplant. Thus, a trip for this Pennsylvania family to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital was necessary.

During these three months of assistance that included chemotherapy and a cord blood stem cell transplant, Anthony’s hearing was lost along with much of his vision. Currently, he is dealing with physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help adjust to his loss of sight and hearing. His multiple medications keep him from being as active as he would want to be.

Happily, this video game, sports-fanatic, pro wrestling enthusiast has been able to return home to Pennsylvania for a time to be with his entire family and a supportive community who proudly sport the blue bracelets that say, “We’ve Got Your Back.” Hopefully, you can help us have Anthony’s back too.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Anthony and families like his. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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Cheerleaders are automatically recognized for their bubbly personalities, perpetual good spirits, and ability to bring smiles to others. All of these qualities fit 15-year-old Brianna to a T. As father Nunziato describes her, “She is such an outgoing kid. She always puts other people before herself.”

2011 was a year, however, that changed this cheerleader forever. Brianna’s body was covered with bruises that weren’t caused by the occasional cheerleading mishap. It turned out that Brianna had leukemia, for which she had to travel to multiple hospitals throughout New York to receive treatment. While treatment started well, Brianna also dealt with pancreatitis, putting her in intensive care for a week while her pancreas was removed. Diabetes also became an issue, challenging doctors to find the right balance for many different types of necessary medications. Nunziato wakes up at 2:30 every morning just to make sure his daughter’s sugar levels have not reached dangerous levels.

While dealing with the needs of a sick child would be challenging for any parent, for Nunziato it is even more difficult. Earlier this year, this dedicated father was injured on the job leaving him unable to work. Plus, he is a single father with four other children aged 10-17 to care for. A strong and proud family to be sure, but anyone in this situation could use a hand. Today, doctors are iffy about allowing Brianna to pick up the pom poms again, but with your help we can be part of her own personal cheering section.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Brianna and families like hers. Please consider a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.

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“The wheels on the bus go round and round…”

The sound of this beloved children’s song brings a smile to the faces of many children. For father Roberto, this song means so much more.

Zorina, who was born with Down’s syndrome, will simply make the familiar hand gesture of the rotating bus wheels to indicate to Dad that she wants to watch her favorite show on the TV. Lately, this favorite home activity has been interrupted by frequent hospital visits.

This past June, mom Amy took her 2 1/2 year old to the doctor after noticing a curious rash covering Zorina’s body. The diagnosis turned out to be leukemia for which Zorina underwent immediate chemotherapy. This first stay in the hospital lasted 33 days; she is currently in the midst of her third prolonged stay at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.

The youngest of three children, Zorina brings joy into her family’s life with her loving personality. Zorina, whose immune system becomes weaker during therapy, shares her care for her family by reminding them to wash their hands in the hospital. How special that such a young person can look out for her family first. With your support, we can help Zorina’s family look out for their most special treasure.

Your donation can help us share a bit of happiness, hope, and comfort in the lives of Zorina and families like hers.

Make a donation to Five Fathers Children’s Charity.