Bayside Girl Donates Birthday Money to American Cancer Society

A Bayside girl whose family has struggled with cancer accepted donations, rather than gifts, for her 11th birthday party last weekend.

Tabitha Setari’s uncle, Roy Brosgole, has been battling multiple myeloma for the past seven years.

For her 11th birthday party, which was held Saturday at Westbury’s Dave and Busters, Setari asked her friends to write out checks to the American Cancer Society as opposed to giving her gifts.

"My birthday is around Christmas and Hanukkah and I get gifts then," Tabitha said. "So, instead of getting presents again, I decided to raise money for the cancer society."

She raised a total $425 and could bring in even more this week after school counselors were inspired by her efforts and promised to bring in donations, said Suzanne Setari, Tabitha’s mother.

The fifth grader, who attends Bay Terrace's P.S. 169, also added $60 of her allowance money in with the donations and plans on sending the total amount raised to the cancer society this week.

“All the children had fun and several of the parents told me that they discussed with their children the importance of giving as well as information regarding cancer,” Suzanne Setari said of last weekend’s party. “Cancer has affected our family. [Tabitha] is taking such pride in doing this and is teaching her friends a sense of community and to think of others.”