PASCACK VALLEY—Organizers of a Ramadan charity dinner at the Westwood Community Center on Saturday, April 15 report a huge success — a critical piece of hardware is inbound for a 9-year-old brain cancer survivor — and big credit is due Township of Washington booster Thomas Sears.
Saba Khan told Pascack Press, “We raised $4,200 for the adaptive wheelchair. As everyone gathered, we mentioned we
hadn’t met our goal yet — and Councilman Sears came up to me and said he would cover the remaining cost of the adaptive wheelchair. That was an amazing moment for all of us.”
Khan, who stood with pride with her son, Zaki, and many, many others at the township’s inaugural Ramadan Crescent Lighting Ceremony this year — she had proposed it to the governing body — said the dinner also was graced by an Imam (a Muslim priest) Sheikh Walid, also of the Township of Washington.
“He explained to everyone the significance of Ramadan and after everyone that was fasting gathered to pray. It was beautiful to see our community come together and break bread. We had a feast of multicultural food,” said Khan.
She said, “Many guests sent me messages the next day about how informative this event was and the best part was that they met someone new in the community that they’re looking forward to building friendships with.”
All proceeds from the dinner, Sears’ unspecified contribution and all, go to Grace’s Gold Ribbon Gang for the adaptive stroller. Kids were asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated to Columbia Presbyterian’s Pediatric Oncology Unit.
At the Ramadan Crescent Moon Lighting Ceremony, Khan told Pascack Press, “Ramadan is about giving back, bringing community together. It’s a perfect way to share our culture with our community.”
Skuches is president of Grace’s Gold Ribbon Gang, which provides goods and services assistance to Hope and Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, Alfano Arts in Medicine Program and the Child Life Department of Columbia Presbyterian’s Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplant Unit; and provides goods to hospice patients and bereavement services to families of Columbia Presbyterian’s Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplant Unit, local New York/New Jersey families, and ATRT families.
At 6 months old, Grace Skuches, was diagnosed with atypical teratoid/rhabdiod tumor (ATRT), an extremely rare, very difficult to treat pediatric brain tumor.
Skuches says on fortheloveofgrace.org, “Though Grace’s time here was short, she left a lasting impression on everyone she touched. Her tenacity, strength and resilience helped carry us through her brain cancer battle for the past two years. Grace truly loved her brother and sister, Minnie Mouse, ice cream and especially Hershey’s chocolate kisses.”
Jennifer and Kenneth Skuches, says the site, continue to honor Grace every day in the good works they do in her name. “They are committed to telling the world about Grace and that kids get cancer too.”