School Dance Party Benefits Fellow Student Fighting a Rare Form of Brain Cancer. Raising $19,000 & Counting

The fundraiser was organized in support of a Pre-k student at the school, August Vinti, who is battling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. DIPG is a tumor that develops in the brainstem and affects the body’s nervous system. The chances of surviving DIPG beyond five years is 2%. August and his parents attended the event.

“Our hearts break for his mom, at such a difficult time. She has another child, so she has to take care of her family while taking care of her son and all of his needs,” said Catherine Mangone is the Principal of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy.

The event has so far raised $19,000 and donations continue to be received at the school. All funds will go to his family to support medical and related expenses. A Go Fund Me page has also been started which has already raised more than $56,000.

The page can be found at: https://gofund.me/a3edf0bf

Baked items, cotton candy, and popcorn were sold at the dance event as part of the fundraising efforts.

“Our hearts break for his mom, such a difficult time, She has another child, and she has to take care of her family while taking care of her son and all of his needs,” - said Catherine Mangone is the Principal of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy.

“We had families of former students and parents whose children no longer attend this school anymore, pitching in to bake and volunteer to sell raffle tickets, and our current students and their families have been very supportive of these efforts,” said Education Director Joan Forgione.

The photos attached are courtesy of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy.