By 10 years old, most boys are playing on sports teams or riding bikes outside. However, Nicolo Rematore, a boy from Italy who is staying with relatives in New Jersey awaiting life-saving surgery, can hardly make it up a flight of stairs without losing his breath.
Nicolo, who came to the United States about a month ago with parents Vittorio and Mina Rematore, may have to stay in Central Jersey for up to eight months, leaving three siblings, ages 13, 7 and 16 months, with various family members in Italy.
“He was an active boy,” said his cousin Maurizio Samarelli, who acted as a translator for the boy’s family last week. “He dances, that is his thing.”
Unfortunately a very rare form of cancer has made it impossible for Nicolo to continue with his dance lessons. While doctors in Italy refused to perform the surgery that Nicolo needs because it is too complicated, they referred his family to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City where the operation will cost about $500,000.
The center will not schedule the surgery until the family is able to pay $95,000.
The boy is living with relatives in Manalapan, but also has relatives throughout Hudson County. A business in Union City and an organization in Hoboken have already pledged to help.
Getting sick
Vittorio Rematore said that he started noticing symptoms in his son about one year ago when Nicolo began having trouble breathing.
However, Nicolo was not diagnosed with condio-sarcomatosa until February while visiting his doctor to have his tonsils removed.
“They didn’t expect this,” said Samarelli about finding out that Nicolo had cancer. “His parents are in shock.” Shortly after being diagnosed, Nicolo’s symptoms began to worsen.
“He started getting headaches and feeling weak,” said his father.
“At night he wakes up thinking that he had a nightmare,” said Samarelli who said that his breathing is especially bad at night. “But he is really gasping for air.”
Nicolo has tumors on his spine, nasal cavity and throat, which make it difficult for him to breathe.
Raising money
Although the family has been able to raise some of the money needed to schedule the surgery, a large fundraising effort is underway for the family.
The Spot, a nightclub on Manhattan Avenue in Union City, has agreed to donate their $10 admission fee to the family every Saturday night until the family has enough money for the surgery.
“That is our main fundraiser,” said Mauricio, who has also placed cans in various stores and businesses in the area. “These nights can bring in a decent amount of money in one day.”
The Federazione Malfettesi D’America organization on Willow Avenue in Hoboken is also sponsoring dances and other fundraising events for the boy.
The next event is being held on June 2 at St. Ann’s Church in Hoboken. The admission fee is $25.
The family said that there is no way of telling when they will raise the money that is needed.
“Depends on how many people’s hearts are open,” said Samarelli.
Nicolo and his family are staying with relatives in Manalapan, but have family all over Hudson County.
Anybody who would like to help the Rematore family in their fundraising effort can send a check made out to Nicolo Rematore to Lucy Vasconcelos care of Nicolo Rematore at 17 Appomatox Drive in Manalapan, New Jersey, 07726.