Paramus Community Pitches in to Help Caruso Family

Young Thomas Caruso has the entire town rooting for him to get well.

The 13-year old West Brook Middle School student just recently began undergoing treatments for osteosarcoma, cancer in his left femur.

His mom Jill says that since that very first day the family learned of Thomas’ diagnosis their friends and neighbors in this community immediately stepped in offering an overwhelming amount of support for which they are beyond grateful.

“The people here are amazing,” Jill says of the hundreds of people in town who have been pitching in with support.

The family learned of Thomas’ illness in October and since his treatment started  she and her husband Tom take turns going back and forth with him to Mt. Sinai in New York City. Each time they go they have to stay for five days while he undergoes chemotherapy.  

Jill says their friends and neighbors started a meal train for them and others are offering to babysit their two younger children Nicole, 9 and Michael, 6, who both attend Midland School.

People have helped care for their home with house cleaning and lawn care, driving their daughter to CCD class, are just a few of the many things people are doing for them. Jill says the Paramus community is truly one big family.

Next Wednesday all the schools are taking part in “Caruso is Kicking It” day, a big fundraiser for Thomas, where they will sell bracelets in his support.

“The generosity of this community is so incredible. It is overwhelming to be going through this experience but to have our friends and neighbors anticipate our needs has been a God send,” says Jill.

Through all this Thomas is very positive. Jill says he tells her he’s going to be fine.  “Not one day goes by that he doesn't give everyone around him the motivation to get through the day,” she says.

Thomas has always been very active in sports like football and lacrosse. He’d regularly ride his bike to school.

One day he came home complaining of leg pain.

They took him to the emergency room to have it checked and from the look on the doctor’s face Jill says she knew it wasn’t good news.

Several tests later and a biopsy, they were suddenly facing what is likely to be a year’s worth of treatment which includes chemotherapy and surgery, says Jill

Thomas has been attending school as often as he can as he goes through treatment. Wednesday night he and the whole family were honored guests at the Paramus tree lighting ceremony.

Jill says the family looks forward to the day Thomas is healthy and recovered so they can give back to this beautiful community.    

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