THE REVERE ADVOCATE–Friday, September 27 , 2019 Page 13 College-bound cancer patient receives check, gifts and gym membership By Tara Vocino A college-bound Honduran native received a $5,000 check from Cops for Kids with Cancer and a one-year Planet Fitness membership at the Revere Police Station on Tuesday morning. Carlos Nunez Mendieta, 18, is an on-treatment patient in the pediatric oncology program at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic and Boston Children’s Hospital for his diagnosis of BCell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), on February 18. “There aren’t any words to explain how I feel,” Mendieta said through translation. “I’m grateful to God as well as the police who made this possible.” He said he will put the money toward an immigration visa, passport and new clothes since he lost weight and food. When asked about the one-year gym membership, Mendieta replied that he’s so happy and that he plans to do cardio and weights once he regains his strength following chemotherapy. After treatment in Boston, Mendieta intends to move back to Honduras to study crop production. Cops for Kids Board of Directors member Edward McNelley, who presented Mendieta with the check, said he wished he had a cure for cancer, but he has the next best thing. “Oftentimes, the caregiver has to stop working, so finances become tight,” McNelley said. Police Chief James Guido said the presentation was bittersweet. “We’re praying for you,” Guido told Mendieta. “We’re all here for you.” Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com. 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 www.eight10barandgrille.com Kitchen Hours: Mon-Thurs: 12-10pm Fri-Sat: 12-11pm Sunday: 1pm-10pm Come in & Enjoy our Famous... $12 LUNCH Menu! Choose from 16 Items! Served Monday thru Thursday until 3:30 PM Aunt Reina LaFountaine, aunt Ritza Mendieta, event organizer/Detective David Caramanica, patient Carlos Nunez Mendieta, Cops for Kids Board of Directors member Edward McNelley and Police Chief James Guido during the check presentation on Tuesday morning (Advocate Photos by Tara Vocino) Grilled Rib Eye Steak! Only $22.00 includes Two Sides Every Friday FRESH HADDOCK DINNER Prepared Your Way! Includes two sides Catch the NFL on our 10 TV’s! We Carry... * 100% Waterproof LVT Flooring * Ceramic, Porcelain & Stone Tile * Hardwood Prefinished and Unfinished, Do-it-Yourselfer Products! Phil Russo Owner Drop by our Showroom and check out our 250 styles of area rugs and other products! 31 Osprey Rd., Saugus * 781-289-9676 Contact@Russoflooring.com Cops for Kids with Cancer recipient Carlos Nunez Mendieta displays a teddy bear and blanket that were given to him. Top row: Aunt Ritza Mendieta, Police Detective David Caramanica, aunt Reina LaFountaine. Center: patient Carlos Nunez Mendieta.
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