Our Work
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it tears at the fabric of the entire family. Parents need to focus on the health and treatment of their child. They often need to take Family Leave or resign from their job altogether to be at their child's bedside. Managing the increased expenses and loss of income while also navigating the care of other children in the home cause further hardship.
- Medical Insurance covers treatment:
How do parents cover the costs of transportation, child care for their other children, lodging, basic home necessities, and other illness-related expenses? - Parental care of a child undergoing treatment often results in reduced family income.
How does a parent choose whether to be with his/her child during treatment or stay working to keep insurance intact, as well as pay for utilities, groceries, and other essential home expenses?
The Fighting Children's Cancer Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides needs-based financial assistance to families struggling with pediatric cancer. Committed to supporting these families in their efforts to improve their children's quality of life, the Foundation also strives to educate others about the challenges faced by families living with cancer and to generate additional support for their benefit.
Greg Porcino and Steve Figurelli founded the Foundation in 1998. Greg had learned about a girl with neuroblastoma and collaborated with friends and family to begin a foundation that would help families whose children had cancer. Greg serves as Foundation Board President and continues to be involved in the Foundation's programs, events, and leadership. Steve sadly passed away in 2016, but his vision continues in the hearts of all who knew him.
As a New Jersey-based nonprofit, we are governed by an active volunteer Board of Directors representing a variety of professional and community organizations. The organization also benefits from the leadership of a salaried Executive Director.
Donations to the Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation’s Family Assistance Relief Program directly pay for essential expenses so parents can focus on the needs of their sick child and the quality of life of the whole family. Examples of assistance include:
- Mortgages/Rent
- Utilities
- Car payments
- Groceries
- Travel expenses
- In the saddest of cases, end-of-life and funeral support.
The Foundation additionally has a Holiday Giving Program that helps families enjoy the holidays despite their cancer battle. Funds to each family offset unmet year-end expenses, help families buy gifts for their children, and allow families to enjoy a holiday meal and celebration together, away from the rigors of their child’s cancer treatment.