Kid Beats Cancer Twice! Now Trying To Help Others

A Long Island, New York, teen is giving back to children battling cancer by organizing a massive Lego drive. Lido Beach 16-year-old Reese Gallinaro, a two-time leukemia survivor, credits Lego with helping her stay motivated during treatment, especially during long hospital stays at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

First diagnosed at age four, Gallinaro faced an aggressive relapse a few years later and missed out on most of her fourth-grade year. Now cancer-free for nearly six years, she recently launched a Lego donation drive, collecting hundreds of sets for young patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering. The drive has received widespread community support as well as contributions from beyond Long Beach.

Gallinaro previously raised thousands for cancer-related causes, but says she associates Lego with helping her during her own treatments and she hopes to bring that joy to other children facing similar challenges. She’s particularly excited to donate Lego flower bouquets to brighten hospital rooms.

“Playing with them has made me want to become an architect,” she said. “I’ll always have a strong connection to Lego.”


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