12/18/2014 6:36:00 AM Jakes got an army behind him Classmates support fellow student in ICU The Gardner News ASHBURNHAM - “We’re going to win this for Jake. We have a lot of hope for him. Everyone has been such a huge help with donating and providing support. I know he misses everyone and he would be filled with joy to see this kind of support,” Nick Nano,13, said during Overlook Middle School’s Play For Jake charity dodgeball tournament yesterday afternoon. Nick’s brother, Jacob Nano, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, has been in the Intensive Care Unit at Boston’s Children Hospital for nearly two weeks and has been on a ventilator for breathing support for the past eight days. According to Jake’s mother, Alethea Nano, Jake suffered from unforeseen complications from pneumonia including a collapsed lung and is currently critical but stable. “Stable days are the good days,” Jake’s uncle, Eric Nano, said. “Jake’s tough, he’ll keep fighting.” Mr. Nano was recording video of the tournament and taking photos of the teams to live-stream the day to Jake’s family visiting him in the hospital. “Jake has an army behind him,” Mr. Nano said. “The overall support, the kindness and generosity the community has shown is overwhelming.” It took Overlook students less than a week to plan and host the charity dodgeball tournament and an online donation fund yielding more than $8,000. Eighth-grader Brad Blessington, of Westminster, is one of Jake’s best friends and one of the main organizers. “Jake’s my best friend — he sits at my lunch table,” he said. “The day I heard, I went home and cried; I was sick to my stomach.” Brad said that when he heard about Jake’s condition, he wanted to help. After sitting down with other students, the group agreed to honor Jake’s athletic nature and chose a dodgeball tournament. Students wore “Play for Jake” T-shirts and wrote get-well wishes on paper chains that will be delivered to Jake’s hospital room later this month. Over 200 students signed the paper chain hoping their sentiments will help the Nano family. “It’s really scary to think about,” classmate Helen McGonigle said. “The whole school doesn’t feel the same without him.” Teammate Mackenzie Nims agreed that not having Jake in class with her has made sitting in class feel different. She said there is a “hole where Jake would participate” in discussions. “Everyone hopes he gets better soon,” she said. Forty-five teams signed up for the tournament. Social studies teacher Brett Duncan said the students were the driving force for the games and that the teachers provided support in setting it up. “I’m so proud of everything the students have done,” Overlook Principal Phillip Saisa said. “The students get together for all sorts of causes and are always willing to show their ability to help others.” Mr. Duncan agreed, stating that the Overlook community is “special” and “truly a community.” “If Jake could see the outpouring of support, to know we’re all here for him right now — it would be a bright spot in his day,” he said. “We’re all praying for his fast recovery.”
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 12:02:30 +0000
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