Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - A Syracuse grandfather is hoping the power of positive words will help his granddaughter beat childhood cancer.
Eight-year-old Gia Oppedisano was diagnosed with leukemia one month ago, and her "Pop" turned to an unlikely place -- Craigslist -- to help keep Gia smiling.
Joe Oppedisano posted “Wanted: From childhood cancer survivors and others. My 8 year old granddaughter has been diagnosed with leukemia. By way of this ad, I'm asking for your sweet words of encouragement I plan on forwarding her on a regular basis.”
“As a grandfather and a cancer survivor myself, I know full well how prayers and stories can lead the way to hope, and optimism and eventual survival,” Oppedisano says.
His ad asks for “sweet” words because Gia answers “Sweet!” whenever her "Pop" suggests something to do, and it's a response he wants to hear for many, many years to come.
“I want her to survive this illness, I know she will. I have confidence and faith. It's like the poem we read last night -- it's a bend in the road,” Oppedisano says.
Along with Gia's parents, Oppedisano set up an email address for Gia so she can read these sweet words of encouragement. He'll forward all of the messages he receives along to her.
You can send your own sweet words of encouragement for Gia to Joe Oppedisano at oppedij@yahoo.com.
