Support Sebastian Rengifo as he beats Leukemia!

This past January Sebastian Rengifo began his second semester at Union County College. He had just made the President’s list for the first semester. Regrettably early February he started experiencing excessive sweating and debilitating headaches. His parents took him to the doctor on Saturday, February 12th where he did labs. On Super Bowl Sunday they received a call that would forever change their lives, “Leukemia suspected”. The next day, Valentine’s Day, he was admitted to the hospital and spent the entire day and night having a multitude of tests taken. On Tuesday, February 15th the doctors entered his room and confirmed to him and his parents the diagnosis of Tcell ALL Leukemia. On Wednesday, February 16th he started chemotherapy.  

He went from having a normal blood analysis in November, playing a championship soccer game in Florida in December to this. How? Why? So many questions but one thing remains...their lives had changed…college had to be put on hold, and this smart, funny, generous and passionate 18 year old young man now had the energy sucked out of him and is fighting for his life. Sebastian is fighting this disease and plans to continue his education as soon as he is able but the anticipated treatment lasts two to three years and he will be both weak and immunocompromised until late in the year. If all goes well he can return to college next January. Sebastian has always done his best and given his all in everything he does whether it is studying, playing soccer, volunteering to referee indoor soccer at the Ironbound Soccer Club, volunteer with CCD summer programs at his parish or helping his family members, especially his grandma and elderly aunts.  His positive outlook on life and his propensity to love will help him fight this disease.


Sebastian’s parents have had to greatly reduce their work hours so they can take care of him and be there for his treatment. They have spent days and nights in and out of the hospital as he has received treatments. They are becoming experts at tracking and recording information to help with Sebastian’s treatments and he is dependent on them for transportation.  Their reduced work hours have created a financial hardship for the family. The family has always supported and volunteered in school and community events and now could use our help. No donation is too small and every prayer counts!