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Health & Fitness

Hicksville's Own Michael Magro Foundation Donates $25K Grant to CCFK at Winthrop

The Michael Magro Foundation of Hicksville recently donated over $25,000 in grants to Project SOAR (School Re-Entry and Ongoing Academic Resources) at the Cancer Center for Kids (CCFK) at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola. The recent grant, which supports the award winning program, brings the total donated to the project by the foundation to $135,000.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Project SOAR, the premise of the program is simple to understand. Children who are treated for cancer and chronic blood disorders are often unable to attend school for prolonged periods of time, in part because their illness limits their physical activity. However, because these children are also immuno-compromised, they are at a higher risk for infection. Within the framework of SOAR, the CCFK provides a vast array of resources that minister to the special medical, academic and psychological needs of pediatric patients with cancer and blood disorders. It also enables children with said illnesses to transition back into the school setting during and post treatment. The program has been highly successful, especially since children and their parents have a tremendous amount of trepidation upon re-entry to school life. With serious illnesses, it is vital that every aspect of a patient's needs are addressed. This is exactly where the SOAR team comes in. 

The SOAR team also meets with parents and children regularly throughout the school year, in order to take the edge off of potentially stressful situations and help the child to return to the classroom, anxiety-free. Neuropsychological testing, which encompasses a critical amount of professional time and evaluation, is a vital part of the process, which is necessary to accommodate and anticipate present and future patient needs.

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The CCFK of Winthrop Hospital in Mineola spends a great deal of time with, as well as cares for, a number of kids who aren’t able to attend class for months at a time, due to treatment for their illnesses, according to Terrie Magro, Vice President of the Michael Magro Foundation. According to Terrie, “The Center works hard with these kids and their parents, helping them to keep up with school work, and get them ready to return to the classroom. The team also educates school faculty and classmates, as well as alerts them to what to expect when the child comes back. The best thing is that SOAR remains available throughout treatment and into survivorship -- so if there are any issues or concerns later on, these can be addressed.”

The Michael Magro Foundation, which is entering its tenth year this year, is a 501 © 3 nonprofit organization which honors the life of Michael Magro, a Hicksville resident who lost his courageous fight with leukemia at the age of 13. The foundation perpetuates his spirit by helping other children with cancer and their families, as they face the challenges of pediatric cancer. For more information about the mission of the Michael Magro Foundation, as well as ongoing programs that they’re a part of (including special events, which are always a good time!), please visit their website at www.michaelmagrofoundation.com.

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The CCFK of Winthrop Hospital is the largest outpatient facility for treating children with cancer and blood disorders in Nassau County. It’s an amazing place with amazing staff, as I can personally vouch for. For further information about this wonderful facility, please visit www.winthrop.org/cck.

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