This is the story of Salvatore Vanni. Actually, he is called “Super Sal.” He is called that because he is a superhero.
A few years ago, Super Sal became very sick. The doctors call it neuroblastoma. It is a really big word that has given Sal so many problems. The neuroblastoma that Super Sal must fight is very painful. He has had many surgeries and has taken a lot of medicines to deal with it.
Like all superheroes, there is a battle that Super Sal must fight, and during his fight, Super Sal has always been brave. Sal has many powers that he uses during the long stays at the hospital. He can turn an ordinary hospital room into a blue lagoon or take on a bunch of pirates with his great swordplay. The ceiling in Sal’s room can give way to rolling clouds against a bright sky and to his boundless imagination.
On September 10, 2007 at the age of 4 1/2 Salvatore was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, a very rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects children under the age of five.
During all of his treatments and everything he has been thru, Sal insists he is fine. Rarely will you see him without a smile on his face. He does not realize that he has spent the last 3 years fighting for his life. Sal is the smartest, funniest, strongest, and most courageous and loving 7 year old boy, he is truly our Superhero.
At this time there is no cure for Neuroblastoma. We MUST find a cure for Sal & all the other children afflicted with this horrendous disease. For this reason we have founded, in Sal's honor, The Mystic Force Foundation. This foundation will fund research to find a cure for neuroblastoma with the research being conducted at various institutions around the country.
Sales from this book will go to help us find a cure so that Sal & all other children stricken with this very aggressive & life threatening disease may lead normal pain free lives.