On November 28, 2013, our dream of starting a family was realized when we were blessed with the birth of our beautiful daughter, Anastasia. Then after several weeks of her not feeling well, and just 2 days before her first birthday, Anastasia was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma, the most common cancer in infancy and the most common extracranial solid cancer in childhood.
Shortly thereafter, Anastasia began her long and difficult treatment journey. First, she courageously endured 5 rounds of intensive chemotherapy at Cohen Children’s Medical Center from December 2014 through February 2015. Our family next traveled in March to Pennsylvania, where Anastasia received metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. More specifically, she was administered a radioactive dose of MIBG through infusion. She was then required to remain confined to a lead-lined room, all while alone, until her radioactive levels were safe approximately 3 days later.
Unfortunately, Anastasia’s cancer was so aggressive that it never went into remission. By mid-May, we received the dreaded news that her tumors, which had once disappeared in response to chemotherapy, had re-emerged. On July 20th, Anastasia passed away.
In an effort to carry on Anastasia’s loving and warm spirit, it is our hope that we may raise funds so that the wonderful staff at Cohen Children’s Medical Center may soon be able to offer MIBG therapy to infants and children in need here in New York.
On behalf of our sweet Anastasia, we kindly ask that you consider donating to this worthwhile cause, and we graciously thank our family, friends, and colleagues for their love and support since Anastasia’s diagnosis.
To donate, please visit
tinyurl.com/rememberanastasia
You may also mail a donation check made out to Christina Kostaris and she will add the funds to the online donor system.
Mail to: Harry’s Paint & Hardware
c/o Christina Kostaris
82-03 Eliot Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379
