$50k donated to Joe DiMaggio’s to aid families coping with child’s cancer treatment

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Nataly Santana remembers the struggle of caring for her daughter, Mackenzy Bowling, as she fought leukemia. Mackenzy,9, was treated at

Nataly Santana with Mackenzy Bowling. Mackenzy, who has leukemia, has been in remission for two years.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and, now in remission for two years, she is enjoying life.

Santana is thankful for the Love Jen Cancer Fund, that helped sustain them at a crucial time. “The Love Jen Fund helped us pay our bills,” Santana said. “We had some long nights when Mackenzy was being treated and I had to take time off from work.”

The Love Jen Cancer Fund provides financial and emotional support to families that are struggling to pay their bills while they care for their children with cancer.

“We will help a family pay their mortgage, power bill, water bill and other bills,” said Kevin Janser, senior vice president and chief development officer for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Often a family member will take time off from work to care for a child who is being treated at the Children’s Hospital. They may fall behind in their bills. We will write checks to help pay their bills.”

Mackenzy Bowling puts a painted handprint on Dr. Carmen Ballestas, a pediatric oncologist. The Love Jen Cancer Fund was a big help for Mackenzy’s family while she underwent treatment.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is receiving support from Hyundai. During a recent ceremony, the hospital received $50,000 from Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels program to aid families coping with a child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is the only cancer program in South Florida to receive the ‘Impact Award’ and one of only 25 in the United States. The money will be awarded to the Love Jen Cancer Fund.

“We want to raise awareness and funds for research to end pediatric cancer,” said John Szymanski, the regional sales manager for Hyundai.

Carmen Ballestas, M.D., a pediatric oncologist said she loves being able to help heal sick children and believes in the Love Jen Cancer Fund program.

The Love Jen Cancer Fund was begun in 1990 by Drs. Wendy and Nick Masi to honor the memory of their daughter Jennifer and provides pediatric cancer patients and their families with an array of financial, social, emotional and educational services to help them as they fight cancer.

 

Author: Amanda Jones
Author: Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones specializes in social media marketing. She holds a Master's degree in Social Media Management from the University of Florida and a Social Media Professional Certificate from the University of Miami.

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