On December 23, 2024, the Fightstrong Foundation hosted a festive lunch to celebrate 9 families whose lives we were honored to touch this holiday season, with one additional family being supported in the near future. The event, filled with laughter, gratitude, and connection, marked the culmination of our 3rd annual Christmas donation initiative. For families battling cancer, the holidays can be an incredibly difficult time. This annual tradition is more than just a gift-giving effort—it’s about creating moments of happiness, hope, and joy when they’re needed most.
This year, we expanded our reach like never before. Through our collaboration with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Children’s Specialized Unit of Robert Wood Johnson, we were able to support 9 families across both facilities—nearly triple the number from last year. This milestone was made possible thanks to the support of the Children's Specialized Unit CEO and the tireless work of social workers Jenn Boughton and Megan Granozio. Their dedication helped us connect with each family in a meaningful way, ensuring every gift was thoughtful, personal, and impactful.
Each family was asked to submit a wishlist of three items, but we went above and beyond, adding additional gifts to ensure their holiday was truly special. Meeting the families in person at our December 23 lunch was the highlight of the season—a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength that these children and their loved ones embody.
Stories of Resilience and Joy
Every family we supported has a unique story of courage and determination, and meeting them reinforced the importance of our mission. Here are a few of the inspiring individuals we were privileged to help this year:
Nadaline
Nadaline was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and is currently receiving treatment. She just received surgery and had a donor to help replace part of her bone in her arm! Despite the challenges she faces, Nadaline radiates positivity and grace. She is such a sweet, young lady with a love for makeup, fashion, and spending time with her friends. Her passion for school is inspiring, as she continues to show determination and resilience in her studies. Nadaline and her family are thoughtful, kind, and genuinely good-hearted people. Her strength and pride in facing her treatment serve as a beacon of hope and courage for others.
What we donated to Nadaline:
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 was recently diagnosed and has just completed her cancer treatment, emerging with a renewed spirit. A super cool kid with a love for scary movies and skateboarding, Leilah has embraced her individuality and personal style. She rocks her new wig with confidence, and it looks absolutely fabulous on her. Her playful and resilient attitude has made her a joy to everyone around her, inspiring those who have been fortunate enough to meet her.
What we donated to Leilah:
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 is currently receiving treatment for leukemia, yet her sweetness and love for dolls shine through even in tough moments. Her gentle and kind demeanor is a testament to her resilience and strength. Allison's passion for her dolls reflects her imagination and joy, bringing light to her family and friends.
What we donated to Allison:
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, friendly young girl who lights up the room with her love for dancing and cooking. Whether she's moving to music or whipping up something fun in the kitchen, Valeria finds ways to express her creativity and zest for life. Her love for video games and favorite TV shows brings her joy and a sense of connection. What makes Valeria truly special is her sense of humor; she loves playfully teasing those closest to her, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knows her.
What we donated to Valeria:
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 was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 9 and has been undergoing chemotherapy at Robert Wood Johnson and the Rutgers Cancer Institute. Unfortunately, one of his treatments led to osteoporosis, resulting in a broken bone in his spine. Luis spent around nine months at Children's Specialized Hospital, building his strength. Now, he attends physical therapy as an outpatient and continues to show immense resilience. His love for video games serves as a comforting and joyful outlet during his recovery. Luis’s journey has been marked by incredible courage and perseverance.
What we donated to Luis:
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 is the sweetest young lady, showing extraordinary strength and bravery throughout her journey so far. Her favorite animal, the capybara, symbolizes her calm and steady demeanor. Yazbel’s warm and caring nature makes her a bright light in the lives of those who meet her.
What we donated to Yazbel:
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 was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2022 and, after a relapse, underwent a massive surgery earlier this year. She continues to amaze everyone with her kindness and resilience. Casey has a passion for art, loves Hello Kitty, and enjoys baking, bringing sweetness and creativity into her world. Purple is her favorite color, and she has a deep love for squish mellows, which bring her comfort and joy. Casey’s compassionate heart and positive outlook are an inspiration to all who know her.
What we donated to Casey:
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 been a patient at BMSCH for some time, receiving treatment and working hard to recover from complications. Her progress has been remarkable, and she has recently begun walking again—a significant milestone in her journey. Royalty loves play-doh, play food, her tablet, and playing dress-up, each bringing her moments of joy and creativity. Her determination and positive attitude are a testament to her inner strength and resilience.
What we donated to Royalty:
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. When Madison opened her final gift, she gave Joseph the biggest hug and wouldn’t let go, radiating gratitude and happiness.
What we donated to Madison:
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.
Looking Ahead
This year’s Christmas donation was a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together to support others. Seeing the joy and gratitude on the faces of these families reinforced our commitment to creating moments that matter, especially during life’s toughest challenges.
This donation was by far our favorite yet. Seeing the joy we were able to bring to each patients' face and their families was so encouraging and inspiring. It was amazing to see the families participate in the unwrapping of gifts, but it was also incredible to see the joy on their faces while they watched the other girls and boys open their presents. They are truly the most unselfish people we have ever met.
When reflecting on the success of this year’s Christmas donation, Joseph Nigro, founder of the Fightstrong Foundation, shared:
"When I was younger, I always valued Christmas as a time of year to receive gifts, but as I got older and faced challenges, I realized how much Christmas really means to others. This holiday allows for me, my family, and the foundation to make a real difference to bring the same joy I felt when I was younger to so many families that are in need of it. I am so grateful to all those that made this donation possible and thankful to God for allowing me to have the foundational support to make this achievable."
As we look toward the future, the Fightstrong Foundation remains committed to bringing joy, hope, and strength to families navigating the challenges of cancer. Together, we continue to fight strong and make a meaningful impact, one family at a time.
Together as one, we fight strong.