Bloomfield Child’s Leukemia Battle Inspires Her To Care For Others (VIDEO)

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — It would have been understandable if Jordan Realz’s first thoughts were for herself.

After all, the nine-year-old Bloomfield resident’s battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia has been the kind of trial that can break the spirits of even the most resolute patient. She was admitted to the Morristown Medical Center and began chemotherapy just three days before her 7th birthday, and endured a subsequent battery of weekly appointments, spinal taps, bone marrow tests and weekly blood checkups.

Fighting the side effects of chemotherapy, Realz has discovered a new toll that the medicine demands from her body every day, her mother, Milly, told Patch.

Recently, the nine-year-old’s hair has fallen out, which has been very hard to cope with, Milly Realz said.

“Some days she doesn't want to get out of bed because she's afraid of what people will say when they see her bald,” Realz said.

But through it all, her daughter has kept up an utterly inspiring positive outlook on life characterized by her concern for others, Milly Realz told Patch.

She recalled one poignant conversation with her daughter, during which Jordan posed a question that shows her true character:

"Mom, I know with everything that I'm going through there are other kids that don't make it to see another day or another birthday… How can we help them?”

“That statement has stuck in my mind every day since,” Milly Realz said.

According to an online fundraising campaign in her name:

“Little Jordan is a fighter. She does not let the medicine bring her down even when it makes her very tired. What she misses the most about being healthy is going to school to see her friends and dancing. She loves to dance and even though she is weak during treatments, she tries to stay strong enough to dance all she can. Her favorite song to dance to is ‘Lucky Charm,’ which her dad, Rob, wrote for her. They recorded the song together with Jordan singing along with daddy. She says the song gives her strength because it helps her feel the love her parents have for her.

“Jordan is a typical little girl who loves makeup, dressing up, singing, coloring, building Legos, her Barbies, Just Dance and her American Girl Dolls. Like most girls would be, Jordan was very upset when she lost her hair, but she now understands that it does not define her beauty. She is an inspiration to all who know her. Her beauty shines from within and through her cheerful smile and always-positive nature.”

Realz’s inspiring outlook on life and courageous battle with leukemia has touched many people in the Bloomfield community, including the local police department.

In December, Bloomfield police put their detective skills to work, locating one of the holiday season’s hottest, sold-out toys and bringing it to the Realz’s living room via a heartwarming Santa visit.

• WATCH: Bloomfield Santa, Cops Bring Sick Child ‘Sold Out’ Toy

COINS FOR CHARITY

Recently, the Realz family has put Jordan’s desire to help others above herself into play, spearheading a “coin contest” for charity at four local schools: Fairview Elementary School, Watsessing Elementary School, Bloomfield High School and Bloomfield Middle School.

During the campaign, which runs through February, students at each of the four schools will contribute to “piggy banks” set up throughout the premises. All the proceeds will go to different childhood cancer organizations, and the class that raises the most money at each school will win a pizza party.

Participating schools and causes include:

• Bloomfield High School (fundraising for Friends of Karen)
• Bloomfield Middle School (fundraising for The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation)
• Fairview Elementary School (fundraising for The Fighting Children's Cancer Foundation)
• Watsessing Elementary School (fundraising for The Valerie Fund)

Appreciate what Jordan Realz is doing and want to contribute to her medical care? Check out this GoFundMe campaign organized by her father, Rob Realz.

Photo: Jordan with her 3rd grade teacher, courtesy of Milly Realz

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com