December was a month filled with meaningful connections and holiday magic for the Fightstrong Foundation. At the heart of it all was our 3rd Annual Christmas Donation, where we celebrated and supported 9 families battling cancer, with one additional being supported in the near future. This year, we worked closely with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Children’s Specialized Unit of Robert Wood Johnson, making this initiative our biggest yet.

Here are the stories of the incredible individuals we were privileged to support, along with what we donated to make their holidays brighter:

Nadaline

Nadaline, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, radiates positivity and strength. She loves makeup, fashion, and school, and continues to inspire everyone with her determination.

We made sure to fulfill every item on Nadaline’s wish list, including AirPods, a Lululemon set, and Uggs. But we didn’t stop there—understanding her love for fashion and beauty, we added two elegant Michael Kors purses, a stylish Victoria's Secret outfit, and a bottle of perfume. These additional gifts were chosen to bring extra joy and make her holiday season even more memorable.

Leilah

Leilah recently finished her cancer treatment and shines with individuality. She loves scary movies, skateboarding, and is rocking her fabulous new wig.

Leilah’s wish list featured an Apple Watch, a PS5, and a Roblox gift card, all of which we eagerly provided. However, we wanted her gaming experience to be nothing short of amazing, so we included premium gaming accessories, an online membership, and a brand-new 55-inch Samsung TV to enhance her setup. These thoughtful additions ensured Leilah had everything she needed to enjoy her favorite hobby to the fullest.

Allison

Allison, a leukemia patient, adores dolls and has a gentle, kind demeanor. Her imagination and joy light up any room.

Allison had her heart set on a dollhouse and matching dolls, and we were delighted to grant her wishes. To enrich her playtime, we went above and beyond by adding a variety of doll accessories, including a car, a scooter, and other imaginative items. Additionally, we provided her with new clothes and diapers to support her family, ensuring her holiday season was filled with comfort and joy.

Valeria

Valeria is a bright young girl with a love for dancing, cooking, and video games. Her humor and zest for life leave a lasting impression.

Valeria’s wish list included a Furby Tie Dye, Happy Nappers, and a Cookeez Makery oven, all of which we happily delivered. But we didn’t stop there—we added two pairs of shoes, cozy new bedding, and a heater to keep her room warm and inviting during the colder months. To further support her family, we included a $300 gift card to ShopRite, helping to make their holiday season as stress-free as possible.

Luis

Luis, diagnosed with leukemia, has shown incredible perseverance despite challenges like osteoporosis. He loves video games and continues to inspire with his resilience.

Luis asked for a gaming laptop, a mouse, and a headset, which we enthusiastically provided. Understanding the importance of quality, we upgraded his headset and mouse to top-of-the-line models and added a brand-new Samsung monitor for the ultimate gaming experience. Delivering his gifts directly to the pediatric clinic and witnessing his surprise and happiness was a heartwarming moment, especially when he expressed his intent to share the monitor with his brother.

Yazbel

Yazbel, a brave and sweet young lady, loves capybaras and has a calm, caring nature that brightens everyone’s day.

For Yazbel, we fulfilled her wish list of slime and a Roblox gift card by providing a generous variety of slime kits and $200 worth of Roblox gift cards. To make her holidays even brighter, we included a haul of clothes featuring about 15 new outfits, ensuring she had both fun and practical gifts to enjoy.

Casey

Casey, who has faced Osteosarcoma with courage, loves art, Hello Kitty, and baking. Her love for purple and squish mellows adds a playful touch to her strength.

Casey’s wish list included an initial necklace, a Victoria's Secret outfit, and pajamas, all of which we lovingly fulfilled. Wanting to make her feel even more special, we added an initial bracelet to complement her necklace, two Michael Kors bags, an extra Victoria's Secret outfit, and a collection of additional clothing items, ensuring she felt both loved and stylish.

Royalty

Royalty has made remarkable progress at BMSCH and recently began walking again. She loves play-doh, dress-up, and her tablet, bringing joy to everyone around her.

Royalty’s requested stackable toys and Play-Doh were delivered alongside an expanded set of Play-Doh accessories, a variety of Legos, and other stackable toys. To ensure her holidays were truly memorable, we also provided 10 new outfits and two pairs of shoes, giving her plenty of options to express her creativity and style.

Madison

Madison, a sweet and bright little girl, was diagnosed with leukemia about a year ago and is currently undergoing treatment. Despite the challenges she faces, Madison’s infectious joy and love for Disney Princesses, especially Ariel, light up every room she enters. Madison's bright personality shone even more as she effortlessly switched between speaking English and Spanish, charming everyone around her.

At our holiday celebration, Madison's siblings eagerly helped her open her gifts, creating a heartwarming moment of family togetherness. One of her siblings became especially excited about one of Madison's gifts, prompting her to say with a big smile, “You can have this one.” It was a simple yet powerful act of generosity that captured her kind and selfless spirit.

Madison’s love for Disney Princesses, particularly Ariel, inspired us to go all out. We provided a Disney Princess play set, Ariel-themed dolls, a bike, a scooter, an outfit, and even safety gear like a helmet and knee pads to accompany her new bike. At her mom’s request, we added a kitchen play set for all her siblings to enjoy, ensuring the whole family could share in the holiday magic.

To read the full story of our 3rd Annual Christmas Donation and learn more about the families we supported, click here:

Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Impact and Growth

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year that has been nothing short of extraordinary for the Fightstrong Foundation. This year, we were able to support 40 families, providing $40,000 worth of cherishable items to bring joy and relief to those battling cancer. These efforts were made possible through the unwavering support of our donors, partners, sponsors, and volunteers who believed in our mission and stood by us every step of the way.

In addition to helping more families than ever before, we expanded our reach by building new connections and partnerships, which allowed us to support two incredible hospitals: the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Children’s Specialized Unit of Robert Wood Johnson. These milestones are a testament to the power of collaboration and the collective impact of a community dedicated to making a difference.

We are incredibly excited to continue this momentum into 2025. With plans to expand our connections and find new ways to support families, next year promises to be even bigger and better. Our commitment to providing hope, strength, and joy to those who need it most remains stronger than ever.

What Joseph Nigro, Founder of Fightstrong Foundation, Says:

"2024 was our biggest year yet, but we’re just getting started. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our mission. I cannot thank each donor, participant, company, and family that has contributed to our mission. Each donation holds the most special place in my heart and drives me to do more. Together, we’ll make 2025 even more impactful—stay tuned!"

We thank every individual who has contributed to our mission this year and invite you to continue following our journey in 2025.