Fundraiser Planned To Grant Wish Of Boy Who Fought Cancer

Since learning that nine-year-old Christopher Timpone of Aquebogue was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma -- a malignant bone tumor -- last year, the .

And now, the support continues: On Tuesday, June 26 at 6 p.m. will host its first charity event with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to benefit Christopher.

Christopher's wish, said Andrea Franco, community relations coordinator of the Suffolk County chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, is to visit Hawaii.

After undergoing chemotherapy to fight his cancer, Timothy was welcomed home to , with a fire department escort and an outpouring of community support.

From the time of his diagnosis, caring residents opened their hearts to support the Timpone family, whose mantra became "No one fights alone."

 for a fund raiser organized by the high school's Council for Unity, and about a month later Christopher's classmates at Aquebogue Elementary School  to raise money to defray medical costs.

The La Lanterna event costs $50 and features buffet dining, an open bar, a silent Chinese auction and entertainment by Mike Ryan; 50 percent of the ticket price and auction will go towards granting Christopher's wish.

Once a child's dream is received by the organization, Franco said, after his or her medical condition is verified as life-threatening, "Every child gets their wish."

The organization receives no government funding and relies upon community fund-raising efforts to make children's dreams come true. "We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy," Franco said.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was born in 1980; since its creation in 1983, Suffolk Chapter has granted over 2,200 wishes to local children. In the past year alone, 122 wishes became reality for area children.

For tickets to the La Lanterna Make-A-Wish event for Christopher, call 631-996-2685 or email LaLanternaFamily@gmail.com.