
Together We Can Help the Patnoi Family Fight Ewing Sarcoma
Like most 12 year old boys, Gabe Patnoi from Demarest, NJ
loves hanging out with his friends playing sports and video games. He plays
flag football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse. He knows just about every
statistic about the many athletes we all know, and a lot we never heard of
before. His favorite teams are the Yankees, Saints Bucks, and Knicks. Gabe
enjoys spending time with his family also. His Mom, Bari and Dad Evan are
always impressed by his wealth of knowledge when it comes to sports. If he can
apply that mind to school his mom says he will grow up to be a young man
capable of achieving great successes. Gabe is very close with his cousins and
is an amazing big brother to his 9-year-old sister Jordyn.
Like many of the boys in town, Gabe craves sports
competition. Whether it is on the field, the court, or playing Fort Nite on the
couch he is always ready to play. He has this special energy about him. Its
almost like a lightning bolt from within ignites him and everyone in his
presence.
Aside from sports, Gabe has an artistic side to him that
many don't know. He is a poet. Recently one of his poems was submitted
into a national contest. He loves to read, and escape into a great book as
well.
Unfortunately, sometimes when we least expect it life takes
us in a different direction. Just three weeks ago, only days before
Thanksgiving, and just before his 12th Birthday, a visit to the
doctor resulted in life changing news for Gabe, his family, and friends.
At 12 years old, Gabe Patnoi was diagnosed with cancer,
Ewing’s Sarcoma in the heel of his right foot. Ewing Sarcoma is a very rare type of
cancer that grows in the bones or the soft tissue around the bones affecting
only 200 children a year in the U.S. Treatment includes multi drug
chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. The good news for Gabe is that the cancer
has not spread and is not in the bone marrow. But, if not treated immediately
consequences could be/ would be devastating.
The next year is going to be difficult for Gabe and his
family. He will undergo one year of intense chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. This type of treatment comes with short term
and long term side effects which too takes a toll on everyone, especially Gabe.
He is being treated by world re-known oncologists all of whom specialize in
sarcomas. The Sarcoma Team at MSKCC is recognized as leaders in the pediatric
cancer community for their research and ability to treat the disease. We pray
they will lead Gabe through this battlefield to victory.
Gabe’s love for his family and friends goes above and
beyond any words written by any great poet or acclaimed author. If you
were to follow him on social media you would see him with his arms around his
buddies, smiling with beautiful eyes that could light up the darkest of skies.
Jordyn, his sister is one of the most important people in
his life. He has been by her side since the day she was born. Today he needs
her by his side, more than she knows or could possibly understand at her age.
Bari’s parents Nana Laurie and Papa Mike are loving and devoted to their
daughter, Bari, and son-in law Evan. They live each day for their children and
grandchildren. Now, they will spend most days here in Demarest helping to care
for Jordyn, while Bari spends her days at the hospital with Gabe, and Evan
tries to provide for his family.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “What lies behind us and
before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”. The Patnoi’s have
been dealt a difficult hand and their future will be met with many challenges.
While the road that lies ahead is uncertain and tough, they are brave and will
come through this stronger than when they started. They are fortunate to be surrounded by
family, friends and many who they have never met before all who are rooting for
Gabe and praying for a healthy recovery, and the day he is cancer free.
When a child is diagnosed with a life threatening disease
like cancer the impact on families can be paralyzing. Often times, the
diagnosis comes with incredible financial burdens, which causes even more
stress on the family. Many of times the Mom or Dad closes their eyes, in the hope
of when they open them, the nightmare they have been living was just a
dream.
Section 16H a 501(c)3 has been on the front lines with
The Patnoi’s since learning of Gabe’s diagnosis. It is amazing and inspiring
to see how many want to show support. Section 16H is going to team up
with Max Cure Foundation a public charity and 501(c3) whose Chairman and
Founder is friendly with The Patnoi Family too. All donations donated to
#NeverGabeUP through this site or link will be 100% tax deductible, and go
directly to the family to help them during this difficult time.
There has been an unbelievable amount of love and support
in such a short period of time by so many living in the Demarest, Creskill, Alpine, Tenafly and New York area. The Patnoi Family truly appreciates
everyone’s love and support.
“It is how we face obstacles that defines who we are”. #NeverGabeUp