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The ECF, founded in 1983, has served over 1,500 families throughout New Jersey by providing 24-hour per day/seven days per week emotional support, materials and emergency financial aid for families struggling with pediatric cancer. With six regional centers throughout the state, the ECF has also been the primary referral source of hospitals treating pediatric cancer patients.

In 1999, Former New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman and, in 2005, Acting Governor Richard Codey issued proclamations naming September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Carol Davis, ECF Managing Director, explained to The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains- Fanwood Times that the 8 ½-minute DVD is meant to be a marketing tool to help raise awareness about the ECF’s mission, and to help raise funds for the organization.

Anthony Caruso, who developed the DVD with the screenwriting, editing and directorial expertise of Guy Parker of Watersign Creative and Steve Onopa of Red Planet Films, said the DVD is a "call to action PSA (public service announcement) for people to get involved and unite with us."

Noting that it took nine months to film the DVD, Mr. Caruso added, "People come up to me and ask about ECF and were the money goes. This (the DVD) answers all of those questions. It will help people become informed so they can get an idea as to how they can help us."

Stressing the dedication of ECF caseworkers, friends and staff members, Michele Miller, an ECF caseworker for seven years, told The Leader and The Times about a time she was called around 1 a.m. by a father whose daughter had been rushed to the hospital. His wife was also dying of cancer.

"You’re always on call and it is a multifaceted kind of job. Families who have lost a child still keep in touch with us and some others eventually detach or phase out," she said, "but there is no other organization quite like ECF". She pointed to the home and hospital visits provided around the clock, as well as food distribution, food shopping services, Christmas parties, summer picnics and family birthday parties celebrated by the ECF staff.

The ECF DVD opens with comments by Mark Haines, a CNBC anchor and ECF board member. "Professional counseling is the hallmark of our foundation," he says, leading into some scenes with ECF caseworker Howard Rubenstein at the Bergen County home of the Khammanyvong family.

"Tell me about your last checkup," begins Mr. Rubenstein, sitting on the living room couch with the patient, his brothers and father, Boonma Khammanyvong. Mr. Khammanyvong said, "He (Mr. Rubenstein) is like a grandfather to them because he is always calling."

Mr. Rubenstein comforts the youngster when he learns that other children have called him "a cripple." "You have done a phenomenal job considering what you have been through," he tells the little boy, adding that when he becomes older others' hurtful words will become less painful.

In the next scene, Mr. Rubenstein visits the Struss family of Sussex County, where Heidi Struss, the mother of Nicole, a young girl with leukemia, tells the camera, "We get the reassurance that weÂ’re not alone. WeÂ’re not the only ones going through this." Heidi says that Mr. Rubenstein and ECF provide information on what is to be expected which is comforting and reassuring to her.

Next, children's television personality Bob McGrath of "Sesame Street" fame drives home the point that ECF brings relief to parents, siblings and the patients themselves.

Nicole (daughter) and Vickie (mother) Benedetto join Dave (son) and Laurie Lasky (mother) in discussing how ECF has provided them with an extended family. The four met at ECF-sponsored events and have formed a strong network of support and comfort with one another.

An emotional Kathy Devereaux tells viewers about how her son died three times, but the doctors brought him back to life. "Without Howard (Rubenstein) and ECF we'd have nothing because I can't take care of my son and be at work at the same time", she says.

Before the DVD concludes, Mr. McGrath continues to explain ECF's mission, the distribution of funds and how the organization and its devoted counselors and volunteers meet the families' needs. Mr. Haines encourages viewers to visit the ECF website to learn more.

Both narrators echo a simple plea at the end: "Please don't forget them (the patients and their families) and thank you."

To learn more about ECF and to receive a copy of the DVD, call (908) 322- 4323 or visit www.emmanuelcancer.org. ECF's Headquarters and Central Regional Center is located at 1815 Front Street in Scotch Plains. However, the facility will move down the street into the Stage House Village around November.

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