6-Year-Old Brooklyn Boy In The Fight Of His Life Has The Support Of A Community
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Brooklyn community has come together to offer hope and raise money for a 6-year-old boy with a brain tumor.
Josia Cotto, his family, and his friends refuse to give in to overwhelming odds.
Cotto has only been able to go to school a handful of times since been diagnosed with a rare, inoperable brain tumor seven months ago.
Meliza Torres, Cotto's grandmother, told CBS 2's Cindy Hsu that Josia was anxious to see his classmates.
"This morning he made me come at 7 o'clock. The school was not even open, but he wanted to come to school so early," Torres said.
Since being diagnosed, Josia has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors told his family that he has six months to a year to live, but the family refuses to give up hope.
The biggest challenge confronting them right now is the cost of an experimental treatment that could save Josia's life. The treatment costs $100,000.
Josia's family is already paying $400 out-of-pocket every time they see a doctor.
To make a donation to the family, click here.
Torres choked back tears telling CBS 2's Hsu that "we're talking about a lot of money, but I know we're going to make it."
The entire community has gotten involved in the fight for Josia's life, raising money any way it can, including selling everything from T-shirts to DVDs.
Josia's classmates said they realize that the stakes are high.
"We're asking him for money so we can give it to him, so we can buy him a prize...medicine," Kayden Stennett said.
Maysa Barclay understands that Josia's family needs help affording the pricey treatment.
"He has to get treatments, but there's not enough money for the treatments, so we have to make money for Josia to feel better," Barclay said.
In three months the community has raised $25,000. Josia's mother, a school teacher, said she could not believe it.
"It's overwhelming, it's exciting, I'm in shock," Niasia Cotto said.
Just four months after Josia was diagnosed, his brother Noah was born.
Josia told his grandmother, "don't cry no more, don't suffer, you're going to see me a man."
Josia plans on being the best big brother ever.
Have something to say about Josia's fight? Let us know in our comments section below...
