Guardian Angels for Gia

Gia is a typical 4-year-old. She lives with her mother, Karli and grandparents, Paula and Eddie Reiff in Sussex County, NJ. Up to recently, Gia enjoyed life and preschool. Over the holidays, she was not herself, not even interested in opening her Christmas gifts, just too tired. Things spiraled out of control quickly. The diagnosis is LEUKEMIA. She was admitted to a NY state children’s hospital for treatment.

Paula and Eddie are full-time working people, who chose to obtain guardianship for Gia, at birth. This decision was to give Gia the best in life and afforded her to be on Eddie’s employer health benefits. Unfortunately, Eddie’s employer of 30 years has decided to close and he is soon to be unemployed, which already has devastating consequences. The thought to move is on the table, but with Gia’s diagnosis and possible years of treatment needed, to take this family from their support system is up in the air. Gia’s health insurance is at risk as is a great decrease in salary. In addition, there are many extra costs involved, missing work, meals, and even outrageous toll costs to name a few.

I have known Paula for 18 years. She works at a Physician’s office, who was my mother’s primary doctor when she was alive. When things were grim and they only gave my mother a year to live, it was the countless support and great care from Paula and her boss, that gave my mother 13 more years of quality life. Paula and I became fast friends, and I cannot believe it has been 18 years of great friendship.

Sharing this fundraiser is just as important during this difficult time. Thank you for all your love and support.