Bridgewater 1st Grader Sings On Holiday Album To Help Kids

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — It's been a rough year for Isabel "Izzy" Rita, a Van Holten first grader who is battling a spinal cord tumor. Despite her own battles Izzy sang her heart out on a Christmas album to help raise funds for Children’s Specialized Hospital and David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation.

Izzy is featured on the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on the Christmas album, which is part of a project called Duets from the Heart and was developed by Calista Quinn, a New Jersey native who has been featured on Radio Disney and The Voice in 2018.

The purpose of Duets from the Heart (DFTH) is to not only provide children battling chronic illnesses with an opportunity to experience the process of music production, but to also give back to organizations that help them live their best lives.

Izzy is no stranger to battling chronic illnesses and helping others as she was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor at just one-year-old. She has been a patient at Children’s Specialized Hospital for five years receiving physical and occupational therapies, but what defines her is her energy, joy of life, and her wisdom beyond her years.

She is infamously known in the Bridgewater area as "Izzy Warrior Princess" and the namesake of Izzy's Infantry, a 501(c)3 non profit organization that works to fight pediatric cancer and spinal trauma.

When Izzy was first diagnosed tumor cells were found surrounding her spinal cord and a doctor had to cut through ligaments and tension bands that are important biomechanisms that help hold her back upright.

Since Izzy doesn't have those biomechanics, over the years she has developed kyphosis and scoliosis. Recently over the summer she spent three weeks in the hospital undergoing halo gravity traction therapy to correct the curvatures, and upon release from the hospital was put in an upper body cast. She's been in the cast for five months as of today.

This album brought light to the 6-year-old’s life and an opportunity to help fellow children.

"She had a very difficult year this year," said Izzy’s mom Sonia Rita. "Her participating in this album was even more perfect… It was a rough summer and this win was a big one for her."

"For me [DFTH] felt like I had accomplished something that I never thought I would do at this age. It made me feel really proud of myself," Isabel said, adding that, "My favorite part was getting to know everyone who helped put together the CD."

"I know how much music has been a huge part of [Izzy’s] life, we use it as part of her treatment and recovery," Rita said. "We always turn to music to help feed her or to motivate her to walk. It has come full circle for her to be able to make her own music and see how excited she was."

The album was produced by Grammy-nominated songwriter Desmond Dennis who is also known for his "Desmond’s Kids Jamz," which is a collection R&B remakes of classic nursery rhymes.

The CD and/or digital version is available for a $10 donation at DuetsfromtheHeart.org or contact sonia.e.rita@gmail.com for Bridgewater residents. All proceeds are split between Children’s Specialized Hospital and David’s Dream and Believe.

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