Meal Train Started For Westwood Mother Diagnosed With Stage 4 Cancer

WESTWOOD, NJ — A few weeks ago, Irene Gol, the Westwood mother of a 3-year-old boy named Zion and a medic at nearby Holy Name Medical Center, received a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

Since then, a "meal train" was established for Gol by her friend Jacqueline Klein on July 17 to help her and her son with pre-made meals delivered right to her home, and, what's more, over $1,700 was raised for her by the community.

Klein met Gol through their sons' "Little Warriors" class at Gary Stevens Tae Kwon Do in Glen Rock, and when she heard about Gol, she said, she wanted to help in some way.

"The thought of missing any time with my children, of being faced with the prospect of not watching them grow up, brings actual tears to my eyes," Klein said. "That this is something that Irene is facing shatters my

Gol, described by others as the "hardworking, loving" mom of Zion, was diagnosed a few weeks ago with Anaplastic Astrocytoma stage 4, a rare type of brain cancer, Klein said on the Meal Train Plus page organized for Gol.

As 29-year-old Gol undergoes intensive chemotherapy and radiation over the next several weeks, the page said she could use a "helping hand" to feed herself and her son.

Since July 16, friends and neighbors have provided her with daily dinners through the meal train, some of which have included salmon, taco casserole and turkey chili.

As of Friday, no one has yet to volunteer to provide her with a meal after Aug. 6. However, $1,721 has so far been raised for Gol, who had planned to begin her studies in August to become a physician assistant specializing in neuro-oncology.

"I'm brought to tears at how many people are seeing me through this incredibly difficult process," Gol said in a post on July 17. "I don't know where to begin to thank you all for the amazing words, prayers and all of your kindness. Thank you for making my fighting chance against this ugly thing that much better. Thank you simply isn’t enough."