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A ‘fun-raiser’ for East Rockaway girl

Event planned to help 4-year-old with cancer

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Two years ago, just a month after Hurricane Sandy wiped out the first floor of Connie and Joe Cicero’s East Rockaway home, their daughter, Natalie, then 2, wasn’t feeling well, and became extremely pale. They knew something was very wrong.

They took her to Winthrop University Hospital, where she immediately received a series of blood transfusions. On Jan. 9, 2013, the Ciceros were told that Natalie had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the most common type of cancer found in children. They knew their lives would never be the same.

“Whenever something is going on in this town, Connie and Joe Cicero are always there to help,” said family friend Melissa Van Wickler. “Whether it’s kids’ events, Club Rock, holiday parties or yard cleanups — every time a volunteer is needed, Connie, Joe and their children are there to help.” (Natalie has two older sisters, Logan, 16, and Isabella, 8.)

“Many people don’t know the struggles this family faces every single day,” Van Wickler added. “If you were to ask Connie how everything is, she would smile, make a joke and say everything’s great, while inside she struggles daily … worrying about everything from Natalie’s health to medical bills to how she’s going to fill the gas tank. The normal daily routines they faced every day have now changed. When you’re struggling to make ends meet every day, all you can do is remain optimistic, as Joe and Connie always do.”

Joe works three jobs, and Connie has to be home with Natalie to take her to doctor and hospital appointments.

Aside from the cancer, Natalie is like any other 4-year-old girl. She likes watching “Doc McStuffins” and the Disney Channel. She loves the movie “Frozen” and its princesses. And she wants to have a tea party for her birthday.

She has a port in her skin through which she receives treatments every Friday at Winthrop’s Children’s Cancer Center. Her immune system is weak, but her spirit makes up for it.

“Being sick with cancer is really all Natalie knows,” said Van Wickler. “She’s had cancer for half of her life.”

Natalie’s Warriors

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