Mission
Just weeks after his seventh birthday, Emmanuel Vizzoni was diagnosed with cancer. His parents alternated shifts at the hospital while their son endured grueling medical treatments. In 1983, in Emmanuel’s memory, the Vizzoni family established the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF) to assist other families experiencing hardships that they endured during and after their son’s battle with cancer.
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For over 40 years, our mission has remained the same as the founders intended: to give New Jersey families faced with pediatric cancer a place to turn for comfort and relief through free supportive services uniquely tailored to each family. Professional supportive counseling is available in the home or virtually and includes advocacy help with insurance companies, medical providers, landlords, etc. We also provide material support such as food, clothing, toys, household items and birthday and holiday gifts, and emergency financial assistance for urgent needs. ECF’s goal is to help families navigate the complicated world of cancer, preserve their emotional well-being, and relieve their day-to-day burdens.
Who We Help
Each year, the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation helps hundreds of families in New Jersey with an array of free supportive services. We assist any eligible New Jersey family with a child who has cancer ages 0-18, regardless of race, creed, socioeconomic status, or any other demographic restriction. We continue helping the families for as long as they need us, whether it be one month or 10 years. To date, ECF has assisted over 2000 families.
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ECF families come from all over the state, and kids range in age from birth to young adults. They are diagnosed with a variety of types of cancer, but the most prevalent are leukemia, brain tumors, and neuroblastoma. Referrals can be made by anyone, but many come from pediatric oncology units in hospitals in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.