Log In

Reset Password
Welcome, User
LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

‘Christmas in July’ delivers sunshine to young cancer warriors

Published August 10. 2021 11:06AM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem Press

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley brought abundant sunshine to the families of cancer warriors with their Christmas in July event July 24 at Pavilion No. 3 in Upper Macungie Township’s Grange Park.

“It’s just a really nice afternoon in the park for a lot of deserving families,” said Executive Director Michelle Zenie. While PCFLV usually hosts a family party every summer, this is their first “Christmas in July” themed event.

“We probably will make it an annual event,” she envisioned.

Activities included games, art projects, and appearances by Mulan, Ariel and Minnie Mouse, plus some elves. Each child battling cancer and their siblings brought home Christmas gifts.

The families, arriving from all points of the compass, also enjoyed pizza, pretzel bites and the event favorite, shaved ice.

Looking like a fuzzy snowdrift, “Caesar,” a therapy dog owned by Dan Serbia from Alburtis, provided comfort to those attending the event. The 12-year-old White Magic Samoyed found plenty of comfort as McCoy Rapa from Schnecksville and John Notchey from Bethlehem scratched his back. McCoy is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and John with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Both have responded well to treatment.

“They have been very good to us,” said John Notchey, a Liberty HS senior, referring to PCFLV.

Gregory Smith, diagnosed with germinoma brain cancer in 2016, and two of his siblings, Alyssa and Peter, celebrated a Smith family sweep of a game of bingo. All three Schnecksville residents got to pick their prizes, with Gregory choosing a kazoo. The Smiths also cautiously celebrate four years without a sign of cancer.

The Latimer and Carter families drove down from East Stroudsburg to attend with AJ Latimer, who is on maintenance treatment for T-cell leukemia. Jasmin Boyd traveled from Mt. Pocono to volunteer. She has been battling leukemia for two and a half years.

The Stravinski family brought Madeline, their leukemia warrior, and her brother, Austin, up from Green Lane to participate.

The foundation successfully pivoted to virtual programming for the families they serve during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The hardest part for us was fundraising,” said Zenie, as she explained that virtual fundraising efforts weren’t as successful as previous in-person ones had been. The executive director expressed hope and optimism that, as COVID restrictions continue to ease, there will be more opportunities to find support for their organization with in-person fundraisers.

PCFLV is a local nonprofit which provides financial, social and emotional support and programming for local pediatric cancer families. With offices at 2132 S. 12th St., Suite 401, Allentown, the foundation is a short distance from Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, which provides pediatric oncology care.

Information: www.pcflv.org

PCFLV Executive Director Michelle Zenie and volunteer Varun Pandian by the Reindeer Games tent. Pandian is a junior at Parkland HS and serves on the PCFLV teen board.
Four-legged snowdrift named “Caesar” enjoys having his back scratched by McCoy Rapa, left, and John Notchey. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, McCoy will enter kindergarten at St. Joseph the Worker School in Orefield. John, a senior at Liberty HS, is dealing with Stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Volunteer Emily Turek from Whitehall calls out bingo numbers while cancer warriors and their siblings compete.
Bingo winners Collin, Gregory and Alyssa Smith hold up their prizes. The two younger Schnecksville residents attend Circle of Seasons Charter School in Fogelsville. Gregory, diagnosed with germinoma brain cancer in 2016, will be a freshman at Parkland HS.
Cole Nass attempts to land a ring on the reindeer antler hat his dad, Mike, is wearing. The family resides in the College Hill area of Easton. Cole's sister Madelyn is battling leukemia as she enters third grade.
According to volunteer Jasmin Boyd, the tree she created for the PCFLV event is inspired by the one from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The Mt. Pocono resident decorated it with colorful flowers and leis to reflect the “Christmas in July” theme. She has been battling leukemia for two and a half years.
PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIER Isabelle Cincera mans the Kona Ice truck. The 2020 Parkland HS grad attends Northeastern University in Boston. Kona Ice is based in Fogelsville.
The Stravinski family picks up gift bags by the summer-themed Christmas tree at Grange Park in Lehigh County. In front, from left, are Austin and his sister Madeline. Madeline has been diagnosed with leukemia, but is doing well. Behind them are their parents, Josh and Susanne. The Stravinskis live in Green Lane.