Stephanie Cusumano Belmonte Fund

Four months ago, it would never have occurred to anyone in the Cusumano/Belmonte extended family and friends that writing this appeal would be necessary.

Stephanie Cusumano and Chris Belmonte met several years ago, sharing a love of music, video games, and Steph’s brother Stephen, and their relationship blossomed into a romance. They got engaged on September 28, 2013, and married on Halloween in 2014 in a beautiful ceremony, which was followed by a fun and spirited reception.

The couple moved into the Cusumano family home and began their married life together. Chris is a full time college student, and Steph works for the Town of Greenwich in the Parks and Recreation Department. They decided to start a family of their own. Silas Archer Belmonte was born on February 26, 2016—a happy, healthy boy who weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce.

Steph used all of her available vacation days to extend her maternity leave in order to spend as much time as possible with Silas. She reluctantly returned to work in mid-May, but just six short weeks later, Steph, Chris, and Silas’s world changed in every possible way. Steph was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer on July 1. Her aggressive form of breast cancer demanded that she take an unpaid leave of absence from work and devote all of her time and energy to a rigorous, extensive treatment schedule while taking care of Silas when she felt well enough.

Steph and Chris can’t imagine how they would be managing this health crisis and all of the pain and worry that it brings, without the love and support of their families and friends. They are grateful from the bottom of their hearts for everyone’s generosity of time, help, support, and financial resources.

Unfortunately, basic needs still have to be addressed, and this young family has no income with which to support themselves. Silas needs everything that all thriving 8-month-old babies need: food, diapers, clothes, etc. Steph’s medical co-pays are high, and Steph and Chris have depleted all of their savings and used up all of their limited credit keeping their household afloat with basic necessities. They are out of options.

Please consider making a donation in any amount you can comfortably afford. Your gift will enable Steph and Chris to focus on her health and make her cancer treatment regimen more bearable by alleviating some of the burden of overwhelming financial obligations.

Please help Silas grow up with both of his parents in as normal a fashion as possible.

Thank you so much!