Older News
Once Upon A Hero chooses a 2021 beneficiary family
June 2021
Once Upon A Hero’s 2021 beneficiary family is the Palumbo family. Anthony and Diana are the parents of 4-year-old twins named Enzo and Anastasia (Sia). On Sunday March 29th of 2020, the family went for a walk along the river at Cascade Park in New Castle, PA. The river level was high due to many days of rainy weather. They were about to feed the ducks when a large tree snapped and fell on top of the family. Anthony and Enzo escaped with minor injuries. Diana and Sia were knocked into the water and sustained severe injuries. Sia’s heart stopped. A passer-by stopped and performed CPR, reviving her. Sia sustained an eye injury and 9 different skull fractures. Diana suffered a spinal compression fracture which required immediate surgery. She also had 4 broken ribs, a collapsed lung and her shoulder was completely shattered. Diana has undergone multiple surgeries for her injuries and continues to recover. She is unable to work as she recovers and Anthony is taking care of her and their children. Once Upon A Hero will assist the Palumbo family with their financial challenges due to unexpected medical bills and loss of work as they continue to recover.
Once Upon A Hero chooses a 2019 beneficiary family
January 2019
Once Upon A Hero's 2019 beneficiary family is the Jaworowski family. Josh and Bethany Jaworowski are the parents of 16 month old twins, Jayden and Josiah. Jayden and Josiah have been diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disease called MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. MECP2 Duplication Syndrome is extremely rare (maybe 1,000 cases worldwide).
No two children experience MECP2 Duplication Syndrome the same way. Jayden and Josiah both have low muscle tone, significant developmental delays, difficulty swallowing, feeding difficulties and have g-tubes. Josiah also has breathing difficulties, seizures and possible immunosuppression. He has been hospitalized for going into respiratory distress from a common cold. They both have several specialists and receive multiple therapies each week.
Half of those affected by MECP2 Duplication Syndrome never walk or talk. Life expectancy is on average 26 years old. Recurrent infections can cause life-threatening complications and are a major contributing factor for reduced life-expectancy. The Jaworowski's are a single income family and Once Upon A Hero will be helping them with the medical and personal financial challenges they meet while fighting this disease affecting Jayden and Josiah.
Finn Chiropractic chooses Once Upon A Hero as 2019 charity of choice
December 2018
Be a hero to a loved one in your life and register for an appointment today! Finn Chiropractic has generously chosen Once Upon A Hero as their "Charity of Choice" for 2019! Tell them that you are a supporter of Once Upon A Hero and our cause and you will receive your initial exam for $20 and your initial X-rays for $20. Finn Chiropractic Group will then donate that entire $40 to Once Upon A Hero! Check out the goal thermometer in their waiting room and see how many people have also gone in for a consultation while supporting their favorite local charity.
Once Upon a Hero Gets Support from "100 Women Who Care"
June 27, 2018
Cranberry Eagle Article
Once Upon a Hero Gets Air Time on Butler Radio Station - WISR
March 14, 2017
"It’s Your Turn" talk show host Dave Malarkey chats with Dawn Spillane Hack and Chuck Spagnolo, who share information about “Once Upon A Hero.” (00:57:25)
Once Upon a Hero Helps Evans City Family in Need
April, 2016
Once Upon a Hero was honored to assist the McIntyre family in acquiring their basic need of water, which all of us take for granted. In doing so, we are fulfilling our organization’s mission of “paying it forward,” and keeping the memory of Don Spillane alive by helping others in need.
Help Our Cause
When you donate to Once Upon a Hero, you are contributing to the health and well-being of families in western Pennsylvania who are in need. Due to the generosity of our donors, we are better able to provide these families with financial assistance for medical equipment and supplies, travel expenses for doctor's appointments and therapy or to make up for lost wages due to an accident or illness. We are grateful to the many donors who have given so generously in the past as many families have benefited immensely from your support. Please know that each gift is truly appreciated and helps ordinary people like us to do extraordinary things! Once Upon a Hero is a Section 501(c)(3) organization, so your donations are tax deductible!You may donate online via PayPal or mail donations by check made out to Once Upon A Hero and send to PO Box 2234 Cranberry Township, PA 16066. Questions? Feel free to email us on our Contact page
