Holmdel Girl Starts Bake Sale to Honor Grandfather, Who Died of Pancreatic Cancer

HOLMDEL, NJ - Last month, on March 10, Alexandria and Matthew Campillay lost their grandfather to pancreatic cancer. The 10-year-old twins, fourth graders at Indian Hill school in Holmdel, were devastated.

It's not an uncommon cancer, but Alexandria's reaction to the passing of her beloved grandfather, Stefano DeSena, has been somewhat unique: She is now trying to raise as much money as she can to fight pancreatic cancer. And she's doing it by partnering with Nada Nut Bakery, owned by a Holmdel family.

Her grandfather's oncologist connected the girl with the organization Let's Win PC, an initiative supported by the Lustgarden Foundation that helps people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer find treatment options. From there, Alexandria contacted Holmdel Township, and was advised that the best day to have a bake sale is on the upcoming Holmdel Community Day, Saturday, April 22. She also contacted several bakeries in the area and Nada Nut Bakery, owned by Olivia Moglino, agreed to help Alexandria raise funds for her cause.

On Saturday, April 22, Alexandria will have a table set up at Cross Farms during Holmdel Community Day. She is encouraging people to pre-order their baked goods from Nada Nut Bakery by April 14. They will also have other baked goods at Cross Farms as well: Cannolis, banana pudding, Italian biscotti and cupcakes donated by Sugarush in Red Bank.

"We couldn't help my dad during the last two months of his life, but we can help others that are going through this. We lived it firsthand, so we know how these patients suffer and how the families suffer, too," said Alexandria's mom, Maria Campillay. "My dad went from a healthy, hardworking Italian immigrant who weighed around 200 pounds his whole life to weighing a mere 110 pounds when he passed. This disease is horrible and everyone deserves a chance at early detection."

Nearly all of the money raised from Alexandria's bake sales will go to Let's Win PC. If you want to help Alexandria and order cookies, an order form is below. All pre-orders can be mailed or dropped off to: Maria Campillay 12 Borden’s Brook Way Holmdel, NJ 07733.

All orders will be available for pick up on Saturday, April 22 at Alexandria's table at Cross Farms Park between the hours of 11-4. If you’re unable to attend Holmdel Day to pick your order up, alternate pick up and delivery accommodations can be arranged separately.

Pictured is Stefano DeSena with his five grandchildren; (starting from the left) Alexandria & Matthew, age 10, Stefano, age 6, Christopher, 17, and Gianna, 11.