March 27 Gaming Fundraiser Supports the Unsung Hero of a Family’s Cancer Fight 

Flemington, N.J. – A small group of Hunterdon County high school students has organized an online gaming fundraiser on Saturday, March 27 to reward a friend for a selfless deed. The fundraiser, a one-on-one tournament playing the popular game, Rocket League, will benefit Ian Hewitt, a Hunterdon County Polytech and North Hunterdon High School junior from Pittstown, N.J. Ian will donate bone marrow in April to his younger sister, Morgan, who is in a rare fight against two forms of leukemia: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).

Ian’s friends organized the fundraiser, “We Fight with Ian,” on his behalf ahead of his bone marrow donation. Ian has taken on more responsibility since his sister’s diagnosis in September 2020, especially since his mother needed to be by Morgan’s side, often at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, while his father maintained a night work schedule. Once Ian donates his marrow to Morgan, he will continue to be separated from her and his mother for 100 days until Morgan can leave quarantine.

“This is the hardest part for Ian: not being able to see his sister after giving her the gift of life,” said his mother, Barbara.

Ian’s friend, Dominick Edwards, is hoping gift cards purchased through the fundraiser will lift Ian’s spirits and relieve some of the pressures that go along with the independence he has gained over the past year and a half. Dominick will purchase gift cards for gas, as well as for area restaurants and Uber Eats.

“Morgan is certainly a hero for what she has endured and the remarkable fight she has put up since her cancer diagnosis, but Ian is also a hero,” said Dominick. “His heroics may not be as obvious, but he has stepped up so the family can focus on Morgan, and his upcoming bone marrow donation is yet another selfless way he is contributing to his sister’s fight.”

“I am so proud of my son for working hard to set this up with help from friends and family to support Ian and the Hewitt family,” said Gina Edwards, Dominick’s mother and an assistant in Hunterdon County Vocational School District’s Adult & Continuing Education program. “These kids, their loyalty and their empathy, make me so proud as a parent.”

Dominick is a junior in Hunterdon County Polytech’s Law Enforcement and Homeland Security program, and he has chosen a career path based on his desire to help others. Ian is in Polytech’s Automotive Technology program. Morgan also is planning to attend the Healthcare Science program at Hunterdon County Polytech in the fall. She has amazed doctors with her positive responses to treatments so far and looks forward to starting the next school year in full remission.

The Rocket League fundraiser for Ian runs Saturday, March 27, 3-5 p.m. Officially enter the tournament as early as March 20. To register now, obtain directions for joining the tournament or learn how to donate directly to the cause, email Dominick at domed2003@gmail.com. Entry fees are $10 a person, and the game is free to download and available for play on all platforms.

To join the National Marrow Donor Program, visit https://join.bethematch.org/. Answer a few questions online and request a kit to swab your cheeks at home. You’ll be added to the blood stem cell donor registry and may have the chance to help save the life of someone like Morgan in the future.

Photo Caption: Ian Hewitt (left), a Hunterdon County Polytech and North Hunterdon High School junior from Pittstown, N.J., will donate bone marrow in April to his younger sister, Morgan (right), who is in a rare fight against two forms of leukemia: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Ian’s friends will host a fundraiser on March 27 to celebrate him and support him as he recovers after the procedure.