Community Corner
Community Rallies Behind Union County Dad With Terminal Brain Cancer
After battling cancer for the past 16 years and undergoing two invasive surgeries, the father is now terminal.
UNION COUNTY, NJ — After battling brain cancer for the last 16 years, a Union County father has exhausted all options and his family is seeking help from the community.
Winfield Park resident Victor Vilela has undergone two invasive surgeries, physical therapy, chemotherapy and radiation over the course of his battle with cancer, and it has now been determined that he is terminal.
Donna Schautz, a friend of the family, has launched a GoFundMe to assist with Vilela's end-of-life care.
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Another friend of the family, Melissa Figuero, told Patch that Victor's wife, Meghan, was able to switch to remote work, but since Victor has had the tumor for the last 16 years, the family has been unable to get life insurance.
"When the time comes, [Meghan] would like to be able to bury him with grace," Figuero said.
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The couple also has a son who is in fifth grade at St. Michael School in Cranford.
More than $4,000 has already been raised for the family, but there is still a long ways to go to reach the $20,000 goal.
People can continue to donate to the GoFundMe here.
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