Parker’s Road to Recovery
Donation protected
My name is Francesca D’Appolonia. My beloved nephew Parker D’Appolonia, is sweet, quirky, and intelligent beyond his nine years of age. Parker exudes love not only to our family, but also his friends and acquaintances in his neighborhood and school. Up until late last week, he was a regular third grader with a passion for family, friends, trains, swimming, baseball, Boy Scouts, Captain Crunch Cereal, getting dirty outside, and so much more.
It is needless to say that Parker brings infinite amounts of joy to everyone around him—and now it’s our turn to help bring the same to him. After what seemed like a pervasive ache in his leg, doctors recently discovered that Parker has developed a rapidly growing tumor in his abdomen. He needs our love and support now more than ever.
His official diagnosis, made on Saturday, February 24th, is stage 4 Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Parker has remained strong, calm, and brave through the pain as our family is scrambling to catch up with this quick-moving nightmare cancer diagnoses. The hematology ward of Children’s Hospital has become Parker’s new bedroom and he will begin intensive chemotherapy immediately. Unfortunately, most of us have personal experience with how devastating a diagnosis like this, as well as its treatment, can be, not only for the person fighting for their life, but also for their families and friends.
Nicko and Samantha D’Appolonia, Parker’s parents, have been working day and night to be there for him has he starts treatment, realizing their support of Parker must be redefined. They are also trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine for Parker’s two younger brothers, 6-year-old Jamison and 3-year-old Roman. We are graciously and humbly asking for your donations to help cover hospital expenses and missed work that will result from Nicko and Samantha’s commitment to their family in this difficult time.
Your contribution, no matter the size, is so greatly appreciated. On behalf of Parker, my brother, sister and the rest of my family—thank you for the love and support that many of you have already shown to us. With your support, Parker will have the love and reassurance he needs to beat this! If you’d like to send him a little something to keep his spirits up, here is a link to an Amazon Wishlist of things he’d love to distract him!
Parker’s wishlist




It is needless to say that Parker brings infinite amounts of joy to everyone around him—and now it’s our turn to help bring the same to him. After what seemed like a pervasive ache in his leg, doctors recently discovered that Parker has developed a rapidly growing tumor in his abdomen. He needs our love and support now more than ever.
His official diagnosis, made on Saturday, February 24th, is stage 4 Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Parker has remained strong, calm, and brave through the pain as our family is scrambling to catch up with this quick-moving nightmare cancer diagnoses. The hematology ward of Children’s Hospital has become Parker’s new bedroom and he will begin intensive chemotherapy immediately. Unfortunately, most of us have personal experience with how devastating a diagnosis like this, as well as its treatment, can be, not only for the person fighting for their life, but also for their families and friends.
Nicko and Samantha D’Appolonia, Parker’s parents, have been working day and night to be there for him has he starts treatment, realizing their support of Parker must be redefined. They are also trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine for Parker’s two younger brothers, 6-year-old Jamison and 3-year-old Roman. We are graciously and humbly asking for your donations to help cover hospital expenses and missed work that will result from Nicko and Samantha’s commitment to their family in this difficult time.
Your contribution, no matter the size, is so greatly appreciated. On behalf of Parker, my brother, sister and the rest of my family—thank you for the love and support that many of you have already shown to us. With your support, Parker will have the love and reassurance he needs to beat this! If you’d like to send him a little something to keep his spirits up, here is a link to an Amazon Wishlist of things he’d love to distract him!
Parker’s wishlist
Organizer and beneficiary
Francesca Simone
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
Samantha Dappolonia
Beneficiary
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