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Jersey City Rallies Around Boy Facing Life-Threatening Illness Overseas
Luca Gonzalez, a 13-year-old Jersey City resident, was visiting family in Switzerland when he suddenly fell critically ill and had to be hospitalized.
Gonzalez was diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax and has undergone several surgeries. The hospital in Switzerland is refusing to accept his insurance, since he is an American citizen.
A fundraiser has been set up to assist the family with medical expenses, which have exceeded $20,000. As of Friday, August 11, more than $22,300 has been raised.
Luca's mother, Rene, is a prominent restauranteur in the city, having previously ser…
Saddle Brook Rallies Around Girl Injured, Orphaned In Earthquake
Rayen Bekri, a 13-year-old girl, was trapped in the rubble for six days following an earthquake in her native Turkey in February. Now living with family in Bergen County, the community has come together to help her.
While trapped under six floors of a collapsed building, Bekri held onto her brother, though he did not survive. Bekri's mother also died in the earthquake, which killed nearly 60,000 people in Turkey and Syria.
Bekri was finally discovered, though her leg had to be amputated. Bekri's father had previously died in a war in Syria.
Rasha Kattan, Bekri's aunt, flew to T…
Newark Helps One Of Its Own Open Restaurant
Inayah Blocker has recently opened her own restaurant, thanks to community support.
Blocker, a Newark native, opened Beyond Soul, a soul food and seafood restaurant at 40 Jay Street on Tuesday, July 11, in the city. To help with costs, including signing a lease, Blocker started a fundraiser. As of Friday, July 21, almost $3,600 has been raised.
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Beyond Soul is also the name of a catering company Blocker ran. She was also a contestant on the Food Network's "Chef Boot …
Canton Dad Suffers Traumatic Brain Injury, Family Overwhelmed By Community's Generosity
A father of two suffered a terrible fall and was in a medically-induced coma for 10 days and lost the use of his left arm, creating an "unimaginably difficult time" for him and his family.
James Mannion, of Canton, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, resulting in significant intracranial bleeding and brain swelling, on Friday, June 9. A week later, on Sunday, June 18, his sister-in-law created a GoFundMe campaign that was immediately flooded with donations, receiving over $60,000 in only four days.
James fell while on a weekend trip with friends in Portland, Maine. He was initia…
Old Tappan Boy Struck By Car Sees Overwhelming Community Support
As Stefan Wiklinski remains on the mend after being struck by a car in Old Tappan while riding his bike, residents of the borough are showing they have his back.
A fundraiser has been created to support Wiklinski's family with medical expenses following the Sunday, June 11 incident. As of Tuesday, June 20, more than $60,000 has been raised.
Wiklinski, an eighth grader who was set to graduate from Charles DeWolf Middle School, suffered a brain injury and remains under sedation. Wiklinski, called "Stefan Spectacular" by his dad, Stephen, was inducted into the National Honor Society and played…
