On Feb. 9, 2011, Gabrielle DiCarlo was diagnosed with a rare
cancerous tumor that attached itself to her adrenal gland and grew
through her bloodstream to her heart. Doctors said it was the only case
in the world of its kind.
Gabrielle, now 6, will benefit from the proceeds of Cruisin’ for Kids on Saturday, an annual charity event organized by Neighborhood Cruisers.
In
2001, some car lovers decided to have a car show so that they could
give back to the community. The first Cruisin’ for Kids was in 2002. The
group has raised more than $250,000 in the past 10 years.
“There was nothing better to do than to help children,” said Bob Dubois, an event organizer.
Before
being diagnosed, Gabrielle was an active child and part of a
cheerleading team. Her mom, Nicole DiCarlo, said Gabrielle made a lot of
friends in kindergarten; she was a very outgoing girl and still is. And
though she’s still undergoing treatment, her mother said cancer has not
changed who Gabrielle is.
“She is 6 going on 16,” DiCarlo said.
The
family was in Orlando, Fla., when Gabrielle had a seizure in the middle
of the night. She was rushed to a hospital. She had another seizure in
January and doctors treated her for dehydration. It wasn’t until
February 2011 that she was diagnosed and on Feb. 23 she had emergency
surgery. It took 14.5 hours for doctors to remove the tumor.
The
car show is open for anyone who wants to participate. It is scheduled
for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at North Rockland High School, 106 Hammond
Road, Thiells. The band Flat Five will be among those performing. A
clown, a bouncing castle, an ice-cream truck
and a merry-go-round will be there for the kids. Admission is free.
There is an entry fee if you want to enter your car in the show. Food
and raffle tickets will be sold.
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