Charity gives Lynn family battling cancer $5,500

The Town of Lynn announced Oct. 30 that Cops for Kids with Cancer, a nonprofit that works with local law enforcement to help families of children battling cancer, presented a $5,500 check to the family of 4-year-old Heloisa Vilalba.

CFKWC President Robert Hall visited the Lynn Police Department to deliver the donation. Heloisa was diagnosed in 2024 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer, and has gone through numerous procedures, hospital admissions and chemotherapy treatments. The frequent hospital visits and stays have placed a financial strain on her family.

The $5,500 donation is meant to ease some of that financial pressure so the family can focus on Heloisa's health, treatment, recovery and well-being. CFKWC funds are not designated for a specific purpose, and families can use them for medical expenses or for day-to-day costs tied to lengthy hospital stays.

Lynn Police and Chief Michael Vail also welcomed Heloisa to the police station, where she met officers and explored a police cruiser.

Cops for Kids with Cancer is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides funds directly to those caring for children with cancer, with each family typically receiving $5,500. Since 2002, the organization has given $6.7 million to 1,261 families with children battling cancer. More information is available on the Cops for Kids with Cancer website.

Source: Town of Lynn announcement, October 30, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement. It was corrected where it differed.