The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation has received a $15,000 grant from the Horizon Foundation of New Jersey to provide depression intervention services for 10 economically disadvantaged Hispanic families who have a child diagnosed with?cancer.
In the spring, this statwide organization that is headquartered in Scotch Plains, began a program to provide depression prevention services and counseling to meet a growing need.
?In the past few years, we have had more and more Hispanic families coming to us for help, so we have tried to tailor our services to help Hispanic families," said Aimee Lam, the foundation's manager of development and communication. "When you are coping with an emotional situation such as a caring for a child with cancer, it is very hard to communicate in your second language."
Lam noted the foundation will use the grant money to retain the three bilingual case workers they currently employ. Because bilingual case workers are in such high demand, they require a certain salary to stay on staff, something the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation will now be able to supply, ensuring that Hispanic families get the advocacy and services they need. The grant money will also be used to help recruit volunteers or advertise for additional or replacement case workers if needed.
Joseph and Susan Vizzoni began the organization in 1983 after their son Emmanuel lost his battle with pediatric cancer. The Vizzonis wanted to help give other low and middle class Union County families the support they need at home to care for a child with cancer. Over the past 29 years, their organization has grown and now serves families across the Garden State.
?There is plenty of support for patients and families in the hospital but once you get home, families are very isolated and a lot of people don?t know that unless they have been through cancer themselves,? Lam said.
?Not only are you dealing with your own stress, but you have to comfort the fears of your child as well as the fears, resentment and anger a sibling may have. In the meantime, parents get so wrapped up with taking care of the child- driving back and forth to the hospital and dealing with treatments and side effects ? that it is hard to keep everything else together. ?Often times, parents will have to leave their jobs and financial burdens will start to mount,? Lam continued.
With their struggles in mind, the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation offers a number of services for these families, including counseling, social work and family advocacy.
The Foundation also has a food pantry at each regional center, collecting groceries and material goods. Food donations from the pantry are often delivered to homes so that a family does not have to take time away from their child to go grocery shopping.
?We also offer financial assistance for those who need it," Lam said. "We paid for a contractor to fix a leaky roof in a family?s house and found an air conditioner for a sick child who couldn?t withstand the hot summer. Last week we approved a check for a family that could not pay their rent that month because the parents had to stay home and care for their child. Now they can continue to stay in their home."
The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation also works tirelessly to find new ways to bring cheer to families coping with child cancer. Every other year, a free holiday party, sponsored by Party Express is hosted for those families. In October, an outdoor carnival and picnic, sponsored by Frito-Lay treated families to a day filled with carnival games and treats, face painting, dancing, entertainment and lunch.
Reflecting on these events, Lam encouraged all to volunteer and those who need help to contact the foundation.
??Families who have a child battling cancer are so isolated when they are at home and are a lot of times, so overwhelmed and stressed. We provide services to combat the issues families battling cancer deal with that are often overlooked. Although we are a 501 ?3 charity, we don?t receive any government funding. We are so grateful to Horizon and we encourage others to get involved and volunteer,? Lam said.
Volunteer opportunities abound for those young and old at the foundation in Scotch Plains. Lam stated that any organization, Girl Scout troop, school or family can hold a fundraiser to help support the foundation. Volunteers often help collect donations and wrap presents for birthday or holiday gift wish lists. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, contact Regional Director Barbara Kopel at (908) 322-4323 ext. 17.
If your family is struggling to cope with your child?s fight against cancer, call Managing Director Carol Davis in Scotch Plains at (908) 322-4323 ext. 16.
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