Warwick community pours out its heart for a child with brain cancer
By Roger Gavan WARWICK On Tuesday evening, Jan. 31, the Church of St. Stephen the First Martyr was crowded to capacity with people of all faiths, side by side, who had come to pray together at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for Evan Kamback, 4.
Evan, the youngest son of Lyle and Victoria Kamback, who had recently moved to Warwick from Staten Island, had been diagnosed with brain cancer and was not responding well to his treatment.
In January 2011, Evan had surgery to remove the tumor.
Ongoing treatments, including chemotherapy, 30 straight days of radiation treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and more advanced treatments and chemotherapy have been emotionally and physically draining as well as costly.
Last year Warwick High School Ice Hockey Team player Connor Davis suggested Drop the Gloves for Evan, as a slogan to raise money and awareness of Evans fight against brain cancer. Its a term used in hockey.
When players are about to fight, they drop their gloves.
With the help of and encouragement by Warwick High School Ice Hockey Coach Jim Desotle, Drop the Gloves for Evan bracelets were soon on sale throughout the Town for $5.00 each.
Then a Drop the Gloves for Evan bake sale was organized by two of Victoria Kambacks friends, Jennifer DiCostanzo and Donna King.
They both have children attending Park Avenue School with Evans older brother Lyle and sister Nina.
Evan is still fighting People from all walks signed up to bake items, make banners, donate to the family or make banners and sell the goods.
Later, appeals for donations to help pay for Evans wish to go to Legoland in Florida were soon answered and he was also able to visit Magic Kingdom.
The most recent demonstrations of the outpouring of love and support by churches, schools, organizations and businesses are still coming in and are so numerous that his family as well as DiCostanzo and King can only show their appreciation to everyone without signaling a few.
A joint statement issued to The Warwick Advertiser by DiCostanzo and King stated, Warwicks community has dropped their gloves for Evan. The outpouring of prayers and support from all corners of Warwick has been profound. In a small community like ours news travels fast, and even faster when a child is fighting cancer.
Evan is still fighting, and we continue to support the bravest four-year-old we know. Evan did get to go to Legoland and enjoyed a fast getaway.
Drop the Gloves is a community movement that has spread vigorously through many organizations and individuals in helping Evan with his fight. Drop the Gloves for Evan would not be successful if it wasnt for the support of our entire community.
Essential information For additional information visit: http://droptheglovesforevan.com/