Billy Contreras, left, and Rocco DiMaggio. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Nearly two years ago, Rocco Gabriel DiMaggio was in the midst of cancer treatments and had just overcome a bout with COVID-19 when the community rallied to show support in his battle.
Now, the resilient four-year-old is hoping his story can help inspire others.
Hundreds attended a fundraiser at the Kreischer Mansion on Arthur Kill Road Sunday run by the RoccoStrong Committee, a joint effort that includes Bikers Against Child Abuse and Rolling Thunder, dedicated to raising awareness for childhood cancer and funds for families and organizations in need.
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Gabriella DiMaggio and her son, Rocco DiMaggio. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
“I feel like with all of this support from the community, that’s what helped us get through,” said Gabriella DiMaggio, Rocco’s mother. “Without them, it would have been a very trying, difficult, dark time — and it was — but they helped us like they were the shining light behind it.”
Two weeks ago, Rocco finished frontline treatment and was declared to be in remission, his mother said.
“He does still have some underlying issues, but it’s nothing that we can’t get through compared to what we went through,” said Gabrielle DiMaggio.
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides were all available for a $20 entrance fee, with a face paint station, a bouncy house and magic shows running throughout the afternoon. The NYPD, FDNY and large swaths of the motorcycle community attended the event.
Proceeds from the entrance fee benefited six Staten Island families with kids battling pediatric cancer and the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, operated by the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island at Staten Island Academy. Two of the families’ children are still undergoing chemotherapy.
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Maddie's Sweet Treats, run by Madison French, 9, was one of the vendors at the event. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Madison French, 9, the owner of Maddie’s Sweet Treats, was among the vendors at Sunday’s event. Her business donates profits to charity — a mission she said was especially important in light of Rocco’s fight against cancer.
“I feel that it’s important because once I realized the world wasn’t cupcakes and rainbows, I realized I should do something and use my voice to make a right in the world,” said French. “And I feel this event is so important because it helps others.”
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Billy Contreras, head of the RoccoStrong Committee, said hearing Rocco’s story and witnessing his battle provided all the inspiration needed to put together events like the one held Sunday.
“To hear Rocco’s story … and me as a father, no one wants to see a team of doctors walk in and say, ‘your life is forever changed’,” said Contreras. “So it was without question when I reached out to my friends to say let’s put something together that this is what happens.”
More than 100 volunteers helped run the event, including students from Susan E. Wagner High School, added Contreras. Around 2,000 were expected to attend the fundraiser.
“Our main goal today is to raise awareness about childhood cancer, our second purpose is to raise funds,” said Contreras. “We want to make sure there are funds aside with the Rocco Strong fundraiser so that these parents don’t have to worry about how they’re going to make their car payment, their house payment.”
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Live music, free food, dozens of vendors and kids’ rides highlighted Sunday's fundraiser. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
Rocco DiMaggio, left, and Staten Island artist Scott Lobaido. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
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