The Edriss Fund

                                              For Val's Son,  Edriss



My son Edriss is suffering from cancer  for the third time. He has now been given a prognosis of six months to live.  He is only 27 years old. Because of all the medical expenses, I have no money left to bury him.  I am asking for $15,500 to take care of all funeral expenses. 

                        To meet by son Edriss, please continue reading. 

@ 2 years

@ 6 years

@ 8 years

@ 9 years

He was born in 1990 to my husband Gilbert and me, Valerie.  Gilbert is now deceased due to skin melanoma.

Edriss was first diagnosed  at 3 years old with a cancer called rabdomyosarcoma which caused him to have his lower left leg amputated because the leg area was poisoned and the tumor in his calf was quite large.  He became cancer free and remain so until in 2016 when the cancer returned - this time in the pelvis.


During Edriss’ young years of cancer freedom, and with the aid of his prosthesis, he learned how to walk.  Not only did he learn how to walk, he eventually became a ski team member, a track athlete, a swimming competitor and a drum percussionist; his dad was a bass player.  Edriss also became a film extra at the age of 9 and at the encouraging of the film director got baptized at the age of 9 at Christ Church in Montclair, NJ. At Christ Church, he was in the music and ushering ministries.  Edriss was also a 13-year member of Camp Happy Times for cancer stricken children.

Slalom skier @ 14

Point Guard @ 11 

Music Jam Session @ 5 

Edriss aspired to become a nurse and attended college for a time. It was while completing one of his nursing courses, and studying for his qualifying exam, he was diagnosed again with cancer and was forced to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  It was during this time that I had to leave my job to travel to be with him for his therapies, travel back home, and then back to work. His treatment lasted for 6 months and the cancer seemed to have been in remission.


Edriss came back to New Jersey to visit in 2016 and the cancer returned for the third time. I had to continue working although by this time I was at a ‘retirement’ age.  It was not feasible for me to stop while Edriss needed my help.


By this time, Edriss was now living with me. We travelled to and from the MD Cooper Cancer Center where we met these wonderful Sarcoma specialists who are trying desperately to ‘keep Edriss with us’.  The nurses have been taking such excellent care of my Edriss. I continue to sleep here until his stay is over. As I write this, he is unable to receive any more chemotherapy treatment until his vitals are stable.


I have depleted all my savings except what I have left to pay my rent and other essentials.  I desperately need help in order to help my son with a positive transition from this life when it occurs. I have no resources to give him a memorial service or even to pay a funeral home.  I don’t want to leave my son laying in a morgue while I scramble around to assist hime.

He has disability fund but they only allow at most $300 for such services and that is not nearly enough.

I would like to bury him in a mausoleum, buy his casket and some flowers to cover him inside.  Along with this I would like to be able to pay the funeral director for their services.  After painfully researching the situation, I am asking for $15,550 to afford me to do these things for my boy Edriss.  Although cheaper, I do not want to cremate my son, I would like him to lay him to rest with his body intact.

Any help I get will be used solely for Edriss.  He will have his memorial service and interred here in New Jersey.   Please understand, this is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do - asking for help in this way.  My son’s situation by itself is tearing me apart.

I am thanking you in advance for your thoughts, prayers and heartfelt consideration.  


                                                             Edriss’ mom.
                                                             Valerie Tate.