Community Corner

Mahwah 7-Year-Old Battling Cancer to Get Help from Boulders Baseball Game

Locals can help out the family of Ava Rasmussen, who was diagnosed with Leukemia last year, by going to a Rockland Boulders game next month.

Since late last year, one of Mahwah’s youngest residents has been battling Leukemia. According to family members, seven-year-old Ava Rasmussen is still undergoing treatment for the disease, which she was diagnosed with last November.

“Ava’s prognosis is good, she’s doing well,” her aunt, Janet Thomas, told Patch. “That’s what we are all holding on to. But, she is still undergoing treatment and spending every other week at the hospital. She’s going through some uncomfortable treatments right now.”

Since the young girl’s diagnosis, family members have said that the community has been an essential component of her fight against cancer. Friends and neighbors have created ‘Pray for Ava’ bracelets, set up an online Ava Rasmussen Fund, visited the family, sent food and Get Well cards, and have been very helpful and supportive since Ava’s diagnosis, family members say.

Find out what's happening in Mahwahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Next month, locals will have a new way to help.

Thomas says she is working with the Rockland Boulders, a local professional baseball team playing for the Can-Am League in Pomona, on a fundraiser that will benefit Ava and her family.

Find out what's happening in Mahwahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This has obviously been a burden on so many levels for the family,” Thomas said. “We are hoping that this event will provide a little relief, at least financially.”

So, anyone who purchases a $15 ticket in the special Ava section of the Boulders’ game on June 3 will have part of the sale donated to the family.

Organizers are hoping that the light mood of the event will also help raise the family’s spirits.

“We are hoping to get as many people out there as possible to support Ava,” Thomas said. “It’s such a family-friendly place, it’ll be a great environment in her honor.”

Locals can buy tickets at a few places around town, including Gallo’s Pharmacy, the UPS Store in the A&P Shopping Plaza, or by emailing Thomas at youravon.janet@me.com, or calling 201-966-6352.

Submit your questions or news tips to jessica.mazzola@patch.com. And, remember to sign up for Patch's daily newsletter, and get updates on Facebook and Twitter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here