Lindenhurst 3-year-old battling rare skull tumor, community rallies for family

A Long Island community is rallying around a 3-year-old boy whose rare disease caused a tumor that severely damaged part of his skull.

Joey Lucas of Lindenhurst was recently diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, or LCH, after a series of tests, according to a GoFundMe launched last week by a family friend.

LCH is a rare, cancer-like disease in which abnormal immune cells build up and damage healthy tissue and bone. It affects about 1 in 200,000 children.

In Joey’s case, the disease formed a tumor that eroded a portion of his skull, according Jessica Trione, who established the fundraiser. Fortunately, she said, the boy’s brain was not affected.

Joey needed major surgery to remove the tumor and repair the damaged bone.

Meanwhile, his parents, Laurie and Joe Lucas, are also caring for their 6-month-old daughter, Charlotte. And because both parents recently took maternity and paternity leave for her birth, neither qualifies for additional state leave, Trione wrote.

Staying by Joey’s side through surgery and recovery means missed work and lost income, Trione explained.

The fundraiser was created to cover lost wages, everyday expenses and medical bills to allow the couple to focus on their children.

In an update, Trione wrote that the family was overwhelmed by the generosity and to keep Joey and his parents in their prayers.