Find Your Daily Voice
Support Swells For ‘Captain America,' Holbrook Personal Trainer Battling Rare Cancer
Mike Emmel isn’t facing his cancer battle alone.
Hundreds of friends, former clients, and community members have answered the call since the Long Island personal trainer and Blue Point resident, fondly known as “Captain America,” announced he was diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease.
The rare cancer of the cerebrospinal fluid and tissue covering the brain affects the brain and spinal cord, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There is no cure.
In Emmel’s case, the aggressive form of cancer has manifested as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, spreading throughout his brain, spine, and…
'Ironic Twist Of Fate' For Temple Hills Nurse Fighting Cancer Amid Husband's Job Loss
Ketsia Kendall has spent her life caring for her community, and now it's time to return the favor.
The 33-year-old as the nurse from Prince George's County embarks on a difficult journey to recover from multiple medical maladies.
Last September, Ketsia, who has ties to Laurel and Temple Hills, was diagnosed with leukemia, according to a GoFundMe launched for her and her husband, Gregory Kendall.
"For the past three years, she has worked tirelessly as a cardiac nurse and patient advocate, earning several Daisy Awards for superior nursing excellence," the campaign launched by her sister, Eli…
Support Surges For Hopatcong Teen Suffering Seizures, Paralysis After Receiving HPV Vaccine
Support is on the rise for a Hopatcong teen whose loved ones say is suffering from serious health effects, including up to 20 daily seizures, after receiving a vaccine for HPV.
Kaylee, 14, has been suffering a myriad of health issues since receiving an HPV vaccine in March 2023, according to a GoFundMe launched for the family's expenses.
“From passing out to not being able to regulate body temp, temporally blindness to going mute and being paralyzed, up to 20 seizures per day,” reads the campaign. “The vaccine has triggered autoimmune encephalitis, POTS, small fiber neuropathy.”
Kaylee, a…
Support Rises For South Jersey Pharmacist Having Consistent Seizures Since 3rd Cancer Operation
Support is on the rise for a South Jersey pharmacist who’s been battling brain cancer since 2014, recently undergoing his third surgery and enduring seizures almost constantly.
John Marcheski, of Sewell, had his first operation following his initial diagnosis in 2014, according to a GoFundMe describing him as a “friend, co-worker, son, brother, father, grandfather and husband to Katie Marcheski.”
“If you know him you know he is an intelligent pharmacist with a wonderful sense of humor,” reads the campaign, launched out of Egg Harbor Township in early May.
After his first surgery, Marches…
Jersey Shore Dad Cem Akpinar Leaves Behind 3 Kids After Cancer Battle
Friends and family are grieving the loss of a father of three young children from Monmouth County who lost a battle with cancer.
Cem Akpinar, 38, had been battling Renal Cell Carcinoma Cancer for the past five years — "giving his absolute best," friends wrote on this GoFundMe page.
Cem was described on the page as "a loving father, husband, brother, son, and friend. Cem is a kind, loving, caring soul that holds so many different titles in our lives and has such a special place in our hearts."
With his wife Carissa by his side day in and day out, Cem had been through surgery and chemotherap…
Support Surges For Phillipsburg Musician, Devoted Dad Of 4 After Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Support is on the rise for a Phillipsburg musician and devoted father of four who is undergoing cancer treatments — and not for the first time.
Musician Dan Crawford says his “most cherished title is father,” according to a GoFundMe created for his medical expenses.
“I have been given many gifts in my life, but none compares to having four wonderful sons, I am blessed and grateful,” he writes.
From battling Hodgkin’s Disease at age 19 to 23 skin cancer diagnoses, two strokes, a triple bypass, a third stroke, and more, Crawford describes his medical history as “very eventful.”
The campaig…
Beloved Rutgers Equipment Manager Battling Cancer Sees Support From Athletes
Support is on the rise for a Rutgers University equipment manager and devoted dad following a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis.
1989 Rutgers graduate Ulysses Molina, aka "Uly,” has worked at the university for more than 30 years, currently managing equipment for the men's and women's lacrosse and soccer programs, according to a GoFundMe launched for his medical support.
A resident of Somerville, Molina was recently diagnosed with throat cancer and must undergo a series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the fundraiser says.
Meanwhile, he and his wife, Denise’s daughter, Isabella, grad…
Brain Infection Plagues Paterson Teacher Amid Cancer Battle
After battling leukemia, braving multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor, Emily Setteducato thought her medical woes were over.
The 28-year-old Paterson elementary school teacher had left the hospital, returned to the classroom, celebrated a birthday, and was back to planning a future with her long-time boyfriend, Will.
But now, the Saddle Brook woman is battling an infection in her brain, complicated by a weakened immune system still reeling from her cancer treatment, her sister Jackie Griffin writes in a GoFundM…
