Lightbridge Academy℠ of Iselin Serves as Shining Example of “Circle of Care” in Action

ISELIN, N.J. - April 2, 2015 - PRLog -- On Friday, March 13, the owners, staff, students and families of Lightbridge Academy of Iselin joined forces for a very special purpose: to raise funds and show their support for one of their own. Olivia Sawyer, a beautiful and spunky toddler at the Middlesex County child care and early education center, was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) a few days before Halloween in October 2014. She was just 2 ½ years old. Since then, her school has played host to a number of fundraisers to help the Sawyer family contend with mounting medical bills. The most recent event – “Shine Your Light for Olivia’s Fight” – was the school’s most successful fundraiser to date, raising a total of $3845 in one night on the Sawyers’ behalf. This ongoing show of support serves as a shining example of the founding principle upon which Lightbridge Academy is based: the Circle of Care.

“The Circle of Care philosophy holds that the happiness of our franchisees and teachers, the needs and wishes of our working parents, and the care and education of our students are interconnected and equally important components,” explained Brenda Febbo, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Lightbridge Academy Franchise Company. “As an offshoot of this core principle, our founder – Guy Falzarano – launched a non-profit arm of our company in 2001, now called the Lightbridge Foundation. Through the Foundation, we have been able to help a number of our parents cover medical expenses for students diagnosed with various cancers and provide a service dog to a child with type 1 juvenile diabetes. We have also supported a number of non-profit organizations such as Hometown Heroes, the Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation, and local food pantries serving local New Jersey communities. In 2012, we were able to provide aid to families who lost their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  We encourage our academies to reach out to the Foundation at times like these in order to expand their community-based efforts beyond the scope of their own school. We’re constantly exploring just how big the Circle of Care can grow.”

With proper treatment, the prognosis for young Olivia is extremely favorable – although, the road to recovery will be a long one. In addition to offsetting the costs of medical bills, funds raised will help compensate for the loss of salary when Olivia’s parents must take off time from work for her medical treatments. In a recent letter of thanks to Lightbridge Academy of Iselin – where their son and Olivia’s big brother Gabriel also attends as a pre-K student – Kristina and Mark Sawyer stated: “Thank you very much for all the support you have been giving Olivia and our family! Olivia is doing well and is continuing her treatment with a very strong fighting spirit. Thank you for your continued prayers. She truly misses everyone in school.”

“Since learning of Olivia’s diagnosis, we have applied for a grant from the Lightbridge Foundation and were provided with $5,000 for the child and family,” said Lightbridge Academy of Iselin Center Director, Marlena Chang. “We hosted a Happy Heart fundraiser where we exchanged paper hearts for whatever amount people wished to donate. They could then write their name and a special message for Olivia on the hearts, which we then collected to give to Olivia for Valentine’s Day. We also had ‘Olivia the Fighter’ shirts made for the staff –  which we wore on a special day when Olivia could watch us on the secure camera system, so we could all hold up our class made banners and cheer her on. Our on-going fundraiser involves Orange Leukemia Awareness Ribbons – which can be purchased at the school for whatever amount a person might want to donate. All the money we raise is granted it to the family through the Lightbridge Foundation.”

Orange Leukemia Awareness Ribbons are still available at Lightbridge Academy of Iselin – located at 23 Gill Lane – to aid the Sawyer family in their daughter’s battle against childhood leukemia.

About Lightbridge Academy℠:  Established in 1997 under the name Rainbow Academy, Lightbridge Academy℠ provides early education and child care to children ages six weeks through kindergarten, as well as special programming for children up to 10 years old during school holidays, breaks and summer camp. The company franchised in 2011 in an effort to expand their distinctive concept throughout the Northeast; it currently has over 60 child care centers either open or in development throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Founded by Guy and Julia Falzarano, the family remains deeply involved in the company, from Guy Falzarano as CEO to their youngest grandchild enrolled in one of the child care facilities. To learn more about Lightbridge Academy, prospective enrolling families and franchisees are encouraged to visit www.LightbridgeAcademy.com.