Jun 25, 2009 7:37 am US/Eastern
Brotherly Love: Daniel's Story
RIVERTON, N.J. (CBS 3) ―
There is nothing worse for a parent than watching your child battle cancer, but an outpouring of support can help ease your worries.
CBS 3's Robin Rieger takes a look at how an entire community is showing some Brotherly Love to help a little boy fight for his life.
Daniel DiMaio of Riverton looks like he doesn't have a care in the world and really, what two-year-old should.
Because of his small size, DiMaio was diagnosed as failure to thrive. Test results for celiac disease and cystic fibrosis both came back negative, but his parents, Sal and Tanya, kept after his doctor
We just kept telling her there's something wrong and she did find it, she felt it," Sal said.
"It" was a softball size tumor diagnosed as cancer; stage 3 neuroblastoma.
"It was behind his stomach, wrapped around two main arteries that go down his legs," Tanya said.
The tumor was removed and DiMaio's treatment now includes six months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, followed by radiation.
It's been a blow emotionally and financially to the DiMaio's, who have nine children, but their community has thrown them a lifeline and they are holding on.
Neighbors bring the family dinner and offer to babysit the kids. One neighbor helped set up a benefit fund at a local bank to help with medical costs.
"I hope that I can provide a little bit of a break for them, some comfort food for the kids, maybe a little treat," said Erin McMullen, who has made dinners for the DiMaio's.
"Everyone is praying for us and I can feel their prayers and it's definitely keeping me going," Tanya added.
Girl Scout troops sold brownies and cookies while others headed for local businesses, who donated items for gift baskets used to raise money through a raffle.
"There just no way to say, 'thank you,' no way to repay what they're doing," Sal said.
Maybe seeing the DiMaios walking hand in hand with Daniel long after his treatment is over would be thanks enough.
Donations for Daniel can be sent to:
Benefit of Daniel DiMaio
c/o Beneficial Bank
P.O. Box 24
Riverton, N.J. 08077
To check his progress online, visit
www.carepages.com and search "Daniel's Lion Den"
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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