Fundraiser To Aid Cancer-stricken Newborn

By Janee Law

jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Rina Jaffe, of Huntington, will be hosting a fundraiser this weekend to raise money for her seven-month-old niece, Stella Freedman, who was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. Pictured is Rebecca and Scott Freedman with their daughters Rosie, 2.5 years old, left, and Stella, right.

Rina Jaffe’s 7-month-old niece Stella Freedman was born in April. Soon after, the newborn fell ill and was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer.

In between Stella’s chemotherapy treatments, the family has made time to hold a fundraiser to raise money toward Stella’s medical bills. It’s set for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday at Elijah Churchill’s Public House in Northport.

Jaffe said that Stella’s parents, Rebecca and Scott, “are being as strong and positive as anybody could be in this situation.”

Both of the parents set out to raise money for Winthrop University Hospital’s pediatric oncology department, where Stella underwent surgery to install a port used to deliver her chemotherapy, Jaffe said.

“It’s a testament to their strength, trying to turn a very difficult situation into something positive by bringing people together to help other children who are going through chemo,” Jaffe said. “I found it amazing that my sister [Rebecca] was able to take her situation and turn it into something positive.”

And now, Jaffe said, “We’re trying to help her just like she was trying to help other people.”

The fundraiser for Stella will feature a lunch buffet, and live music by Bear the Bell, kids’ karaoke, face painting, balloon making and a magic show from 12 noon-3 p.m. Live music will continue from 4-9 p.m. with Pete Mazzeo and his band.

All of the services will be manned by volunteers, and the food will be donated by the pub. The all-volunteer approach has been taken to ensure that all proceeds go to the Freedman family, which hails from Long Island City.

There will be a $25 admission fee for adults (no charge for kids).

There will also be raffles for prizes like tickets for the “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and the “Daily Show with Jon Stewart;” and a suite at a New York Rangers hockey game, and a New York Mets baseball game. There will also be $20 football boxes available at the bar for the Giants vs. Bears game that day.

Elijah Churchill’s Public House is located at 1031 Fort Salonga Road.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit Stellassuperheroes.com.