PRESS RELEASE
Robert L. Craig School will be sponsoring an event, Austin’s Heroes Fight Against Pediatric Cancer on Friday, May 25, 2018 at the school at 20 West Park Street, Moonachie, NJ with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. and concluding at 1 p.m. This event will raise money for Tomorrows Children’s Fund and Tackle Kids Cancer in the name of our Fourth Grade student, Austin Macalintal.
Tackle Kids Cancer is a partnership of dedicated clinicians, corporate sponsors and supporters working to make the necessary strides towards advancing medical research to find a cure for pediatric cancer and providing children in our community with the highest level of care. All proceeds benefit the Children's Cancer Institute of Hackensack Meridian Health. www.tacklekidscancer.org
Tomorrows Children’s Fund (TCF) is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of support services to pediatric cancer and life-threatening blood disorder patients and their families. Tomorrows Children’s Fund’s mission is to comfort and provide essential financial and emotional assistance to help both the patient and their families get through this nightmare, as we have over the course of 35 years. www.TCFkid.org
Austin is nine years old and his fight against Osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor that develops from bone cells, (osteoblasts, which start in the end of long bones) began at the end of July, 2017. In the earlier part of the month, Austin tripped and fell in the backyard while playing with his older brother. After that fall, the family noticed that Austin had developed a slight limp in his walk. As the summer progressed, Austin would wake up in the middle of the night crying with severe pain in his knee and his family also noticed that his limp was getting more pronounced. After visiting the doctor, they discovered that Austin had Osteosarcoma.
Soon after his diagnosis, Austin underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and in early November endured a seven hour surgical procedure to remove the tumor and install an implant to replace a significant portion of his thigh bone (femur). After surgery, Austin continued his treatments which are scheduled to be completed in April of 2018. Austin also began physical therapy after his surgery to re-learn walking and regain his mobility. After chemotherapy is completed, Austin is expected to continue his physical therapy and will have regular visits with his oncologist and orthopedic surgeon to guard against recurrence and adjust the length of his implant so that his legs can grow evenly as he grows into adulthood. Additional surgery is expected as his implant will need to be replaced by an adult implant once he finishes growing.
Robert L. Craig’s 300 students will collect pledges from friends and family members before walking with their classmates in a Walk-a-Thon. In addition, with the help of Lonnie Allgood and Dreams for Kids, Inc., as well as the Wood Ridge High School football team, students will be competing in a variety of competitive activities promoting team work. Our goal is to raise $10,000 through individual donations and business sponsorships.
For additional information or to make a contribution, please call 201-832-4200 or send an inquiry to kkinsella@moonachieschool.org.
