The next stop was Rockefeller Center to see the giant Christmas tree. They dined at Tony’s DiNapoli Italian restaurant in Times Square, where Riley - wearing a princess dress - finished her plate of chicken parmigiana, no small feat. 12, Riley, Hayden, their parents and two grandparents took a white stretch limo into Manhattan. He does take great care in trying to pair the right gifts with the right child, and his instinct paid off with a perfect match. Heugle had no idea Riley asked her mom to see the Rockettes. “I said to Bob, ‘You have just made me so happy.’” “I called him and we talked, and I was so elated,” Van Name said. Her brother knew of the Frances Foundation and suggested she call Heugle. It just so happens that, about the time Riley was asking to see the Rockettes, Lucia Van Name was wondering what to do with Christmas Spectacular tickets she’d purchased and was unable to use after a conflict arose. More: Brookdale Foundation ensures disabled college student gets her one last class But everybody says, ‘What can we do?’ We didn’t know what to do. We have a lot of friends and family - a lot of support. “Having a child with cancer is the worst time of your life. “They welcomed us with open arms,” Chrissy Risden said. Adding to the daily challenges: Riley’s 12-year-old brother, Hayden, has autism.Īt the urging of friends the Risdens enrolled with the Frances Foundation, which is helping about 100 pediatric cancer patients throughout New Jersey right now thanks to contributions from a network of 3,000 supporters. It was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel her treatment is scheduled to run until the fall of 2023. As is often the case with childhood cancer patients, her hair fell out. 'I'm a walking miracle': Aberdeen woman back home after eight-month COVID fightĪ fifth-grader, Riley has to attend school virtually because of her vulnerability. “The steroids caused her to not be able to walk. “The liquid form was just awful she would take it and vomit,” Chrissy said. Taking a high-dose steroid provoked side effects. “A lot of vomiting, a lot of not being able to eat,” Chrissy Risden said. Riley also suffered three bacterial infections. The chemotherapy takes a toll - the nausea and fatigue can be unrelenting.
DONATED FOR IATKOS HAVENT GOT IT SKIN
Purple skin rashes followed, and bloodwork revealed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer. In May, Riley was experiencing lingering knee pain. “When you’re in the hardest time of your life, you see it.” 'A nightmare of worry' “Things are really scary right now, and you realize there are some really good people out there,” Chrissy Risden said through tears. And it happened just in time five days later the Rockettes canceled all remaining shows this year "due to increasing challenges from the pandemic." It was a day, and a gesture, they’ll never forget. So the Risdens took Riley to see those Rockettes Dec. Sometimes, good fortune intervenes for those who need it most.