Theodore and Christine Papageorgeiou, owners of Larry and Joe's Pizza on Newark Avenue in Jersey City, are Mari-Lena Theli's grand-uncle and aunt. Mari-Lena is 20 months old and lives in Greece with her parents and older sister.
The Papageorgeious and other relatives are working furiously this month to raise the $60,000 they estimate will be needed for a lifesaving bone marrow transplant at the hospital in Greece where Mari-Lena is currently staying.
The Papageorgeious have raised about $12,000 as of the end of last week, with about $7,625 raised at a breakfast held at their restaurant on Nov. 26.
A trust fund account has been set up by the Papageorgeious from their business account at Hudson City Savings Bank for monies donated for Mari-Lena's cause.In hospital since August
Papageorgeiou said last week that in November she and her husband found out about the seriousness of Mari-Lena's condition.
"When we heard about Mari-Lena, we could have just said 'What's going to happen to the poor girl?' but as family, we decided, let's raise some money and see what happens," said Papageorgeiou.
Also helping the Papageorgeious is local developer Tony Deluco, a customer at their pizzeria who found out about Mari-Lena days after the breakfast. Customer who's a developer helps out
Deluco said he will donate an amount yet to be decided and will reach out to fellow developers and members of the city's real estate and investment community.
"As the father of a baby on the way and a 9-year-old daughter, I feel for what that little girl and her family are going through and I want to help any way I can," said Deluco. "And what better thing is there to do for the Christmas season than saving a life? Leukemia and children
Leukemia is cited by medical experts as one of the most common of childhood cancers.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow, which leads to displacing the normal marrow cells with increasing numbers of malignant cells. The result is a lack of blood platelets, which are important in the blood clotting process.
There is no single cause for leukemia, but researchers have strong suspicions about four possible causes: natural or artificial ionizing radiation, certain kinds of chemicals, some viruses, and genetics. How you can help
Papageorgeiou said check and cash donations are welcome.
She said Mari-Lena's parents father, a police officer, and mother, a court employee, have been paying out of pocket for the medical expenses.
Donations can be made by check addressed to Christine Papageorgeiou with a notation at the bottom of the check of Mari-Lena Theli's name.
The checks can either be brought or mailed to: Larry and Joe's Pizzeria, 533 Newark Ave., Jersey City, N.J. 07306. There is also a cash jar on the counter inside the pizzeria.
Also, corporate donations can be sent to the Deluco Organization Ltd., 56 Washburn St., Jersey City, NJ 07306 For more information, call Larry and Joe's Pizzeria at (201) 656-0073 or Debbie Andrews at the Deluco Organization at (201) 963-0500. Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com
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