Saturday fund-raiser will help Boardman child with cancer

BOARDMAN

So far, so good.

Throat cancer was the last thing on the minds of 9-year-old Vincent “Vinnie” Massacci or his parents as he enjoyed a game of flag football on a Sunday last September.

But a sore throat that resulted in visits to a local hospital emergency room, then to an ear, nose and throat specialist, and finally to Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, resulted in a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma.

“Once you get over the initial shock, you go into ‘let’s beat this thing mode,’” said his father, Michael Massacci of Boardman.

Nearly four months after the diagnosis, the good news is that the cancer has not spread to other parts of Vincent’s body, and the tumor is shrinking.

“So far, so good,” Massacci said.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare childhood cancer that stems from muscle cells, according to the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Life has changed for Vincent and the rest of his family, and mounting expenses not covered by insurance are becoming a burden, and they could use some financial assistance, said Colleen Helmick.

To help offset some of the costs, Helmick organized the Valentines for Vinnie benefit, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 at New Life Church at 2250 E. Western Reserve Road in Poland.

Read more about Vinnie and next Saturday's fundraiser in Sunday's Vindicator or on vindy.com.