'In The Blink Of An Eye,' Chatham 3rd Grader Faces Cancer Battle

CHATHAM, NJ — A student at Southern Boulevard School in Chatham, Jimena G. loves fooling around with her siblings and participating in synchronized swimming competitions. Then in what seemed like "a blink of an eye," Jimena was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer, family friend Diana Blanco said.

Jimena started feeling back and leg pain, which lead to the loss of sensation, Blanco said, and "before we knew it she was rushed into surgery to remove a growth in her spine." The diagnosis is Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of born cancer most typically found in children.

The diagnosis came suddenly for Jimena who, until recently, spent hours in the pool and dry-land training for the competitive synchronized swim team at Berkeley Aquatic Club and attended Spanish school through the Embassy of Spain.

"She's missing it horribly now," Blanco told Patch.

The 8-year-old has already been pulled out of school to begin treatment in New York City, and is not expected to return to school for "many months" because of an aggressive treatment plan, Blanco told Patch.

"They're giving it the best shot with her treatment at Sloan Kettering in the city," Blanco said, but Jimena still has months of grueling treatment ahead of her. The family is now facing mounting travel expenses from having to go back and forth between Chatham and Manhattan, while also taking care of Jimena's two siblings at home.

"Javier, Jimena's dad, is currently working in Chicago, and her extended family is abroad, which makes day to day life for [Jimena's mom] Sara and the rest of the family even harder," Blanco said. "Jimena, Sara, Javier and their two other kids, have a long way to go before they can see the light at the end of the tunnel and they can celebrate Jimena's joining the 'cancer survivors' team.'"

Blanco is raising funds through PayPal on behalf of the family to help offset the financial burden of a child with cancer. "We have become painfully aware that the daunting costs to come of out-of-pocket expenses, travel, hotel and meals will become astronomical and overwhelming for her family," Blanco said.

In the past ten days, $9,170 has been raised towards the $50,000 goal, with many donors leaving warm wishes and prayers.

"I was one of the teachers in Jimena’s CCD class. Such a bright and energetic girl. If anyone can beat this it’s her! Please tell her we really missed her and that we wish her well and send her lots of love and prayers!" one donor wrote.

Another wrote, "You are like a Unicorn, special, strong and magical."

Image via Diana Blanco