In 2017, Jack Farina, now a 5th grader and current player on the Madison Maroon 5th grade basketball team was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a blood cancer. Over the next 3 years Jack endured an unimaginable regimen of chemotherapy, spinal taps, debilitating steroids and multiple surgeries. The world class team of oncologists, nurses and staff at the Valerie Center, Goryeb Children's Hospital @ Morristown Memorial saved Jack's life. As a result, today, Jack is thriving both in school and on the court. Sadly there are many kids with a cancer diagnosis who aren't as fortunate. Additionally, the majority of parents/caregivers find themselves in dire financial situations due to their child's diagnosis. Many need to take leave from their jobs. Many have other children to also care for and/or are single parent households. The cost of treatment not covered by insurance can be overwhelming. The Good Neighbor Fund @ Morristown Memorial offers financial assistance to these families to help offset the cost of daily living expenses like gas, groceries, mortgage/rent payments, etc. Many families travel from long distances to the Valerie Center / Goryeb from all parts of NJ given its amazing reputation. Especially in these times, they desperately need this type of financial support. The Valerie Center is a small clinic treating on average 30-40 local NJ children with various cancers. 

"Hoops For Hope"

For this 5th grade basketball season, Jack's parents, Nick and Andrea Farina have pledged $2 for every point that the Madison 5th Maroon team scores throughout the regular season + playoffs (for a MINIMUM $2500 contribution). Nick also serves as a coach on the Maroon team.  Please note, that any amount contributed will go a long way toward helping these families in crisis. It does not have to be in the form of a pledge per point scored etc. Whatever anyone feels comfortable contributing as a donation is more than welcomed!

Additionally, the Madison 5th Gold basketball team coach Paul Patella has also agreed to help support and promote this fundraiser among his team. So it's a total 5th grade travel basketball initiative!

The best way you could help aside from making a contribution is sharing the link to the fundraiser among family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Social media is also an effective medium to share and promote this fundraiser. At the end of the basketball season, the 5th grade boys will have an opportunity to present the final check of the amount raised in-person, to the doctors, families and children in treatment at the Valerie Center. 

Please consider supporting this very worthy initiative. Aside from helping these families in need, we hope to also provide our 5th grade boys with a valuable life-lesson and experience.