RVC Supports Kendall Curnuck’s Fight Against Leukemia

When eight-year-old Kendall Curnuck’s parents received the news in January 2010 that their daughter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, they knew their lives would change drastically. What they did not expect was how their story would inspire Rockville Centre residents, both young and old, to come together to make a difference in their little girl’s recovery.

RVC resident David Russo, whose daughter is a friend and classmate of Curnuck’s at , produces an online video series called “Elevated” that documents inspirational individuals who overcome challenges. When he heard about Kendall’s diagnosis, he decided to spotlight the Curnuck family’s fight against the disease.

“My daughter had a birthday party in December 2009 so Kendall was at my house for the day, and about one month later we found out that she had come down with this disease,” explained Russo. “Horrible things are going on all around the world, but when something like this happens in your immediate world, it's impossible to change the channel.”

Another one of Curnuck’s supporters who has helped share the family’s story is pro-surfer Bethany Hamilton. Organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Hamilton took Curnuck surfing in Hawaii in July, which aired as an episode of ESPN’s MY Wish program.

“Kendall is a ball of energy,” Hamilton said. “At first she was afraid of the ocean she but didn’t let that stop her from going surfing with me. She did a really great job and it was great to see her overcome her fears.” 

Kendall’s display of courage in the ESPN episode and in Russo’s “Elevated” video inspired some of RVC’s youngest residents to reach out and help. After watching Russo’s video, eleven-year-old Jolie Creo recruited friends from her book club and organized a lemonade sale that raised over $2,000 for Curnuck.

“The best part was seeing how many people came out to support this cause,” Creo said. “People are really nice and really generous, especially when it comes to helping kids.”

While promoting her lemonade sale, Creo spread the word about Curnuck’s fight against leukemia to other members of the RVC community, including Jeannine Palladino, owner of on North Park Avenue. “I was touched and extremely impressed that this young girl and her book club friends jumped right in and opened up their hearts to help,” Palladino said.

Palladino decided to team up with Creo for another event, dubbed “Kindness for Kendall Day” on September 17. Creo and her friends will set up their lemonade stand in front of Jeannine’s Boutique and sell their treats for 100 percent profit, while the boutique will donate 20 percent of its sales for the day to Curnuck’s treatment.

“Coming together for residents in need in our community is what the people of RVC do best,” Palladino said. “This is what makes our community strong and it is why so many of us have come back to raise our own children here.”