BY SARAH L. SULLIVAN
Correspondent
CHRISKELLYstaff Jake Healy has the support of friends and community members as he battles leukemia. Here he spends time with his brother, Colton, 7, at their Ocean Township home. OCEAN TOWNSHIP – Suzy Healy wants very much to show her appreciation to all the people who have lent their support to her family throughout the health challenges of her oldest son Jake, 11, who is battling leukemia.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2002 while in kindergarten, Jake’s leukemia was in remission until January of this year when he relapsed. He will be undergoing treatment for the next year and will go on to maintenance for another year after that.
Overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness from the community, Healy was moved to tears when she said, “I wanted to find a way to say thank you because thank you is not enough. I know they are just doing it to be there but they need to know that they make a difference. It’s the least I can do.”
Referring to the help her family, which includes Jake’s younger brother Colton, 7, has received from so many different sources, Healy explained, “The support that has come from the intermediate school as well as the Wanamassa Elementary School is the thing that is getting us through this. We can’t do this ourselves. Our friends, family and the community have been great. The dinners they bring over are phenomenal. The days that we’re in the hospital or at treatment, I come home and all I have to do is heat them up. Knowing that they’re there, that whole positive energy alone is a big help.”
Friends of Jake came up with the idea to start a fundraiser among the fifth-graders and their families. Organized and coordinated by some of the parents, the goal was to gather some games and gift cards, bags, drawings and e-mails for him.
They also had a T-shirt made especially for Jake that included signatures of the students along with their class picture and the words “We’ve got your back.”
Their efforts cheered Jake.
“I liked it, it made me happy,” he said about the T-shirt.
He said his friends even made the fact that he had lost his hair as a result of treatment a positive thing.
“They don’t care,” Jake said. “They think it’s cool.”
“We didn’t see him smile for days, but when they brought the stuff over he had a big smile on his face,” said his
mother.
She encourages Jake to look at his illness in the most positive light by reminding him of the long life he has to look forward to when his treatments are completed. She also reinforces the idea with him that in the end he will be a better person as a result of what he has learned through this experience.
Healy pointed out, “You hear bad things about places but this is something that is so nice, it’s so special. I am so grateful that we landed here. Even the town and local businesses have been supportive; they did a fundraiser the first time. Their hearts are open. The kindness is there when needed.”
After Jake’s cancer went into remission the first time, Healy began nursing school in an effort to “give back” for all the help she has received. Although her education has been put on hold for the time being, she plans to return as soon as Jake is well again.