Mayor’s Fluke Tournament to Benefit Woodbridge Boy With Leukemia

Woodbridge fifth-grader, Joseph “Thomas” Kurzeja was diagnosed with an incurable disease this past December at the age of 10.  Kurzeja was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that causes his bone marrow to create white blood cells for an unknown reason that do not mature but continue to reproduce.

In order to help treat ALL, Kurzeja has been undergoing treatments, mainly Chemotherapy, that leave him weak, tired, nauseous and unable to go outdoors, one of his favorite things.

During the most crucial period of Kurzeja’s treatment, he did not go into remission and he is now classified as “very high risk.”

Kurzeja and his family are hoping he will be able to return to school this fall, according to information sent out by the Township on Saturday’s event.

Just like most boys his age, Kurzeja enjoys football, baseball, riding his scooter, traveling down the shore, but has been unable to do most of those things due to his illness. For a few more months, Kurzeja cannot interact with his friends, something he truly misses.

On Saturday, the Mayor’s Fluke Tournament will be held at Sewaren Bay beginning at 6 a.m. All of the proceeds form this event will go towards the Kurzeja family’s medical bills for Thomas.

The family said in a release, “We thank everyone for their outpouring support as we go through this journey with Thomas.”