John Amato's Memorial Service

Hi Everyone,

We are raising funds to help support John Amato as he begins treatment for a rare form of cancer.

For those who don't know John, he’s a long-time resident of Jersey City, NJ, and he owns and operates a local pet-care business. He’s a fixture in the neighborhood and it’s a common sight to see him marching around with various pups, eating at one of his favorite restaurants, or posted up in the Van Vorst Park dog run, petting the dogs and chatting with their owners. He’s always got a smile on his face for the humans and big hugs for all of the animals he meets.

 

 

He’s known for his sunny disposition and larger-than-life energy, so when he started feeling a bit “off” in early 2020, he didn’t think much of it. Then Covid swept the world and he put aside any concerns about himself in light of what he viewed as much bigger problems. But in June 2021, after months of increasingly-frequent dizziness and vision loss, he sought medical attention. He was initially thought to have had a stroke. After several rounds of testing and scans, doctors found a brain tumor and he has subsequently also been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his nasal passage.

This is the first thing that needs to be addressed, so as soon as he's done healing from some required dental work including a root canal, he’ll begin radiation treatments at Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City for 7 weeks, 5 days a week. His doctors have warned that it will be difficult. He won’t be able to work during the treatments and for a while afterwards while he's healing.

He has just been approved by insurance to have his treatments covered, which is a huge help, but there are still a lot of expenses that he’ll be responsible for.

Which brings us to why we’re here: John is going to need some help. For about 3 months he won’t have any income but he’ll still be responsible for:

 

• all of his usual expenses (rent, health insurance, cable, cell phone, gas and electric, groceries/meals/delivery)

• transportation to and from his radiation appointments and follow-up appointments (his immunity will be too compromised to take public transportation and a round-trip Uber ride averages $150)

• pre-existing medical bills from all of the visits and tests he’s undergone to get to this point

• a root canal and some other required dental work before he can begin radiation treatments
• any unforeseen expenses that may arise associated with his treatment 

 

This is the first big step on his road to wellness, as the doctors still have to assess what further treatment he may need after this.

But for now, any and all donations that you can make to help this man who spends all of his time taking care of others would be so very appreciated. There is no amount too small. John is immensely grateful and humbled by anyone who is generous enough to help him. Your love, prayers and positive energy mean the world to him. Please share his story with anyone and everyone you think might want to help, let's start a chain reaction and get him back in action!

Having your support will mean that he can put all of his energy towards the focus of healing and concentrate on his recovery while he deals with this and any future diagnosis.

Thank you so much!!