This page is deadicate to helping the members of the CTA.  Please consider donating to support our members in need some support.

Lia's kick cancer's ass fund

Sep 19, 2017

As many of you know, our young, vibrant, loving friend, Lia Vartanian, is battling cancer again. She beat melanoma back in 2003, and it's our belief that she will beat it again this time. Lia begins treatment next week at Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital in New York City. She will be receiving immunotherapy every 2-3 weeks through IV at the NYC location of Memorial Sloan Kettering. Her melanoma specialist there believes that this therapy will yeild the most promising result, and has had great success rates in her experience. This time, the melanoma has spread to her lungs and liver, so the course of treatment is more comprehensive. It is my hope that we can help Lia with travel related expenses in and out of NYC, and medical expenses, as insurance typically does not cover 100% of this very costly course of treatment. So many people have asked "how can I help?" Other than the outpouring of support via texts, calls, emails, deliveries to her home, and offers of rides into and out of the city, I think this is a great way to help her through this stressful, emotional and taxing time in her life. I know it won't be long before Lia is back to traveling, doing yoga, kayaking, and enjoying her friends and family. Please consider supporing Lia in kicking cancer's ass once again. Melissa Morris

Help Elle Fishman get a service dog!

Sep 19, 2017

Elle Fishman is an adorable little girl with a beautiful and kind demeanor.  Elle and her mom, Abigail, were excited to visit ECAD recently to interact with potential service dogs.        Elle's Story:  Our daughter Elle was born in 2013. I had a perfectly normal pregnancy, but was informed that Elle had microcephaly, or a smaller than typical head, after her first exam in the hospital. In 2015, an MRI showed that Elle has cerebellar hypoplasia. In Elle’s case, her cerebellum is underdeveloped.  This affects many of Elle’s gross and fine motor skills. Elle has always been late to her milestones, rolling over and sitting on her own. She still can’t stand on her own, and she is not yet able to speak. Other than all of that, Elle is just like any four year old girl. She is stubborn and sassy and so smart. She is strong and absolutely fearless. She is almost as good on the bar and the climbing wall at our house as her brother, Shae. Elle keeps up with her peers at school, she knows her letters and numbers and colors. She participates in all of their activities, with the support of her one-on-one aid. Elle understands everything you say to her and wants to be just like all of the other kids. Elle is able to walk with support. She has stopped using her walker because it slows her down and it makes her feel different than the other children. Having a mobility assistance service dog would allow Elle to move at her own pace; and, importantly, to have the independence she so badly desires. A service dog will allow Elle to access areas that a walker cannot reach, such as up and down stairs.  ECAD, the nonprofit organization that is educating a dog for Elle, asks each family to raise $25,000 towards the cost of breeding, raising, and training the service dog. We’re asking for any help that you can possibly offer. Thank you for your generous support to help ECAD educate a service dog for Elle.  https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/ecad1/Campaign/ElleFishman