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Christy Troiano noticed a few things that didn’t seem right with her newborn, Giulianna. While each check-up came back fine, she was persistent there was bigger problem.
When Giulianna was 9 months old, doctors informed the Troianos that their daughter had Neuroblastoma, an infant form of cancer that develops in the nerve tissue.
For the past four months, Christy Troiano’s cousin, Nicole Messina, has been fundraising for the now 13-month-old Giulianna. The resident of Reserve and Tuscany drives, along with her sister Jessica Carfagno, of Forrestal Street and Olympia Place, Christy Troiano’s sister, Noreen Sciulli, and some cousins, have been planning a benefit taking place Oct. 14 at a Delaware County-based church to help cover the infant’s medical expenses.
“I would do anything for my family,” Messina said. “If I see them upset and hurt, I would do anything. I feel this isn’t even enough. I don’t look at it as a lot of work. It’s nothing compared to what they are going through.”
Our Lady of Perpetual Help school, where Christy Troiano, a native of 17th and Hartranft streets, used to teach third grade, has donated its Morton-based facility, 2130 Franklin Ave., for the event that will run from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $30. The evening will include prize baskets; auction items including donations from the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Union; and raffles for numerous items including a 42-inch Panasonic plasma TV and an iPod Touch. All of the prizes have been donated with the event proceeds going directly to the Troianos. Local South Philly businesses such as Little Beth Boutique, 1540 Packer Ave., Scannicchio’s, 2500 S. Broad St., Penrose Diner, 2016 Penrose Ave., and many more have donated prizes for the raffle. A professional photographer and DJ have also donated their time to keep the event’s atmosphere uplifting.
Ricky Sciulli, owner of Ralph & Rickey’s Pizzeria and Ristorante, 2700 S. Seventh St., is Christy Troiano’s father. The local eatery, along with Pastificio, 1528 Packer Ave., and Swan Catering, 2015 S. Water St., will be donating food for the evening.
Giulianna’s troubles began when her parents started introducing solid foods to the then 8-month-old. She wouldn’t eat and began losing weight. Christy and her husband, Frank Troiano, tried to change her diet, but still doctors could not put a finger on what may be the cause. At a later visit, the doctor felt a mass between her spleen and stomach and scheduled tests and an ultra sound for the next day. The Malvern couple didn’t want to wait; they decided to go directly to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and after a night full of testing.
“Our lives changed in a blink of an eye,“ Frank Troiano, who admitted that until that day at 5 a.m., he had no idea Neuroblastoma existed, said.
Since Giulianna’s diagnosis, there has been an outpour of community support. Messina immediately began getting the word out to raise funds for medical costs the family would undoubtedly incur with treatments. She has set up websites and a Facebook page so people can follow Giulianna’s story. Through online social networking, the family has been able to raise money and awareness for the various fundraisers they have held to help with the Troiano family’s medical expenses. To date, they have held six lemonade stands, including one in August on the 1900 block of Forrestal Street. Alex Scott who established Alex’s Lemonade Stand also suffered from Neuroblastoma.
“Because of what [Scott] has done, my daughter has a chance,” Frank Troiano said.
The generosity has not just been monetary. Frank Troiano is grateful for the neighbors who come out to help with everyday tasks like cooking dinner and mowing the lawn. The Glenolden-based company called Bears for Smiles has sent the family two Build-A-Bears — one for Giulianna and another for her big sister Francesca, 4.
“Everybody can kind of relate to our situation even though they are not going through what we are going through,” Frank Troiano said. “The way they relate — here’s a family in need with a child, and there are parents out there with kids. They kind of put themselves in our shoes in a way, and then it just makes them feel like they have to do something. There’s good-hearted people out there.”
Frank Troiano described his infant daughter as inspirational.
“The amazing thing is that she may be a little sick or not want to play, then one night after she got her chemo, she was eating. She has just been defying the odds, she has not once complained or acted up,” he said also noting his admiration of their eldest daughter, Francesca, who despite being so young, appears to understand and does her best to help out.
Visit giuliannathebrave.vpweb.com for more information or e-mail GiuliannatheBrave@comcast.net to purchase tickets.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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