More Than $160K Raised For Westfield Family After Dad Dies Of Cancer

WESTFIELD, NJ — After a 16-month battle with cancer, Westfield resident and father Ross Kagan tragically died last week.

Before he passed, Kagan asked his friends and family to promise they would help support his wife Rachel and his 16-month-old daughter Layla. When a GoFundMe was launched for the family, the community showed their immense support by raising more than $161,000.

You can check out the GoFundMe page here.

Sandy Eisen and Sarah Rubin, the creators of the GoFundMe, wrote that Kagan passed away surrounded by his family in the comfort of his own home.

"You hear a lot in the way of cliches when people pass, especially the good ones, that they were wonderful humans, fighters, one-of-a-kind, and beloved," the organizers wrote. "Ross was every one of these things and so very much more — a gentle, kind, unwavering, truly selfless, sweet, calming pillar of strength as a husband to Rachel, an over-the-heels-in-love-with-his-munchkin, loving-as-can-be dad to Layla, a caring, supportive, attentive and reliable friend to all of us."

Eisen and Rubin said the purpose of the GoFundMe is to raise money for Layla's future. These funds will go toward Layla's school, camp and any future opportunities.

"It's all he ever wanted," Eisen and Rubin wrote. "That, and for there to be many more Patriots wins in the future."

The GoFundMe has currently raised $161,397 — just slightly short of its $175,000 goal. You can donate to the Kagan family here.

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