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Democratic clubs plan anti-ICE rally neapolis resident, by an ICE agent in January — a shooting that has stirred national outDemocratic clubs across Nas- rage and widespread protests. sau County are organizing a Good, a U.S. citizen, was shot coordinated peaceful rally later and killed during a federal this month to protest Immigra- immigration operation in Mintion and Customs Enforcement neapolis on Jan. 7, drawing solidarity rallies in cities from Bosactions, local leaders said. Claudia Borecky, president ton to San Francisco and conof the Bellmore Merrick Ameri- gressional hearings on use of force by federal offican Democratic cers. Club, said the rally The heightened — scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 21 — will attention comes not span from Valley long after the Jan. Stream to Mass 24 fatal shooting of apequa along SunAlex Pretti, a Minrise Highway, with neapolis resident participating clubs killed during federstationed at train l immigration CLAUDiA BORECkY aenforcement stations and other operapublic points. The President, Bellmore tions, which has Bellmore Merrick Merrick Democratic also sparked nationclub will gather at Club wide protests and the Merrick Long calls for accountIsland Rail Road station. ability. “This is bigger than anyBorecky said local rallies in thing we’ve done before,” Nassau County are meant to Borecky said. “It’s most of the “give a face to immigrant comclubs in the area — stepping up munities” and bring attention to show solidarity with immi- to how enforcement actions grant families who are living in affect families, businesses and fear.” public safety. The protest comes amid According to independent heightened scrutiny of ICE analysis of federal data by Factafter the fatal shooting of Renée Check.org, roughly 43 perNicole Good, a 37-year-old Min-
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
T
Holden Leeds/Herald
Volunteers from Team Heart & Cure take part in the Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries of the Year campaign during the Feb. 7 community clothing drive.
JFK junior leads cancer fundraiser Madison Brand is turning her loss into action By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Madison Brand, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, is turning personal loss into community action by leading a fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Brand is serving as a student visionary, heading a team of more than 20 students working to raise $50,000 in seven weeks to support blood cancer research, patient services and advocacy. Her father, Michael, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017 and underwent months of chemotherapy before he died on Feb. 18, 2018, at age 38.
“I just wanted to make a change so no one else has to go through what my dad went through,” Brand said. Blood Cancer United played a major role in supporting her family during his illness, inspiring her to give back through the organization’s Student Visionaries of the Year program, a nationwide, teen-led fundraising initiative, Brand said. Blood Cancer United funds medical research, provides free patient support services and leads advocacy efforts aimed at improving access to care and advancing early diagnosis. The organization recently changed its name to reflect its broader mission to combat all forms of blood cancer. Brand first became involved with the ConTinUed on page 20
his is bigger than anything we’ve done before.
ConTinUed on page 16