Josephine’s Garden was named for Josephine Rispoli, a six-year-old girl diagnosed with a rare, malignant, high-grade brain tumor on September 19, 2010. After a yearlong battle that included numerous surgeries, five rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, two auto-stem cell transplants, and six weeks of daily spinal and cranial radiation, Josephine lost her fight on October 23, 2011. Throughout it all, enduring treatment for more than 250 inpatient days at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, she never once lost her fighting spirit.
The Josephine’s Garden Fund benefits pediatric oncology research, which has funded the opening of the Josephine Elle Hartung-Rispoli Research Lab, the first of it’s kind in the state, directly impacting pediatric clinical trials. While at Hackensack UMC, Josephine saw the need to create a magical outdoor escape where pediatric patients wouldn't need special permission to visit with their family members or caregivers. She had her eye on a rooftop space at the Children’s Hospital that could be transformed into her dream garden. Josephine worked on the plans with her mother, Heidi. The garden would be an interactive space that houses a climbing boulder, wishing fountain, a hand-hewn warrior pole, chalkboard walls, and a custom whimsical awning to provide shelter from the sun and rain, as well as a space to create art. In the words of Heidi, it would be “a place to blow bubbles, feel the elements, and dream.” In tribute to a little girl with a dream and a heart as big as all the outdoors, Josephine's Garden was born.
In May, Go Green club members, moderated by science teacher Ms. Lauren Fitzgerald, held a Mother’s Day Flower Sale at IHA and an additional fundraiser at Demarest Farms. Members raised about $900 in total to benefit the Josephine’s Garden Fund. Money raised went toward purchasing flowers in Josephine’s Garden and remaining funds went directly to the Josephine Elle Hartung-Rispoli Research Lab. In June, Go Green members, in conjunction with CARE, collected art supplies for the young patients who are being treated at Hackensack UMC. Because the children have significantly compromised immune systems, they cannot share art supplies when visiting Josephine’s Garden. Due to the IHA community’s generosity, Go Green members collected markers, crayons, colored pencils and more to donate to Josephine’s Garden along with the raised funds.