HOW YOU CAN HELP: While many parents were preparing their youngsters for school earlier this month, Daniel and Vanessa Abbadessa of River Edge were at Hackensack University Medical Center, where it was discovered that their 1½-year-old son, Luke, has neuroblastoma.
Both teach in the West New York public school system and were preparing to meet their new students when the world suddenly crashed down on them.
Luke had shown no signs of trouble before doctors detected a mass during a routine exam 10 days ago. Tests followed and the little innocent’s cancer was diagnosed as Stage 4 aggressive.
Surgery isn’t possible, given the size and place of the tumor, so he’s undergoing chemotherapy.
Luke, who has a 3½-year-old brother, Matthew (below), is a fighter. So are his parents, Vanessa Forte, originally from Ridgefield Park, and Bergenfield native Daniel Abbadessa.
The Abbadessas have been unable to return to teaching for now.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for them.
No amount is too small.
Please share this story. And thank you.
Matthew and Luke, with Daniel and Vanessa
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