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Hampton Bays comes together to support 6-year-old girl fighting cancer

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Young girl in a dress.

The Hampton Bays community is rallying behind a 6-year-old girl in her fight against a rare type of cancer.

Antonella Quintana, a first grader at Hampton Bays Elementary School who loves ballet and sings in her church choir, was recently hospitalized at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, where she is undergoing treatment. Her older sister, Priscila Putzulu, created a GoFundMe page on Friday to assist the family with expenses.

In just 24 hours, the fundraiser exceeded its $20,000 goal, with nearly $24,000 raised from almost 350 donations, as of Sunday afternoon.

“The past 24 hours have been very overwhelming for us, but it has proved that community still exists,” the family wrote in an update Saturday. “We are eternally grateful to everyone who shared, donated, and has sent us positive, encouraging messages. Thank you for helping us reach our goal of $20,000 in only 24 hours and thank you for loving Antonella as much as we do.”

Lengthy treatment plan ahead

Antonella Quintana, 6, of Hampton Bays has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia (GoFundMe).

Antonella is diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer that requires a lengthy treatment plan that could go on for years, according to Putzulu’s GoFundMe post. She explained that Antonella has masses in her lungs and brain that have affected the girl’s vision.

“This was completely unexpected,” Putzulu wrote. “Antonella has always been a healthy and lively little girl.”

Antonella’s mother, Liliana, is a single parent who will be unable to work during the course of the treatment, creating significant financial challenges.

The funds raised will help cover basic necessities, medical expenses, and transportation between Hampton Bays and Queens, Putzulu wrote.

‘We are devastated’

Antonella’s aunt, Sandra Quintana, wrote in a Facebook post that the girl’s illness has “devastated” the family.

Top photo: Antonella Quintana, 6, of Hampton Bays is a first grader at Hampton Bays Elementary School (GoFundMe).

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