Maspeth residents are raising funds to help the family of a local 8-year-old boy currently battling leukemia.
Last month, doctors diagnosed Rocco Lanzer, a third-grader at P.S. 153 and a student at Maspeth Martial Arts and Fitness, with acute t-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and regular blood transfusions.
Angel Redondo, Rocco’s teacher at Maspeth Martial Arts, launched a fundraising effort after learning his student was ill. He posted a link on the studio’s website to a Paypal account where the public can make donations.
Word about the fundraiser quickly spread through social media, and by Friday, Feb. 13, Redondo had raised more than $1,000 to cover Lanzer’s medical care.
“I want to do whatever I can to raise as much money as I can,” Redondo said. He hopes to provide the Lanzer family with weekly checks from the public’s donations.
Maria Lanzer, Rocco’s mother, said her son’s prognosis is good, but his recovery could take up to two years to complete. She and her husband, Michael, have been staying with Rocco at the hospital on alternate nights.
“I appreciate what everyone’s doing for [Rocco],” Maria Lanzer said. “You walk into the hospital and your life is one way, and then your life is turned upside down with a diagnosis like that.” She said the donations would go a long way toward covering various bills and expenses related to Rocco’s treatment.
For those who cannot afford to make a financial donation, Redondo suggested that they donate blood at drives held in their communities. Click here to donate to the cause.
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