Joe Arena

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Jul 3, 2026, 6:06 PM

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Updated

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A new Buddy Bench at Eastport-South Manor Elementary School is serving as a lasting tribute to the life of 9-year-old Briana Dolomite.

Briana was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and passed away less than a year later. Throughout her battle, her father, Daniel Dolomite, says she continued going to school every day because she wanted nothing more than to be a normal kid surrounded by her friends.

To honor her memory, Daniel created the Strong and Brave Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families facing pediatric cancer.

The foundation’s biggest goal is to build Briana’s House, a peaceful retreat where children battling cancer and their families can step away from hospital visits and treatments to find comfort, healing, therapy, activities and support in a welcoming environment.

How to help:

The Strong and Brave Foundation is currently raising money to build Briana’s House. To learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, scan the QR code shown during our broadcast or contact the foundation directly:

• Email: Contact@strongandbrave.org

• Phone: (877) 206-2036

• Mail: P.O. Box 563, Manorville, NY 11949

Every donation helps move the project one step closer to becoming a reality for families facing childhood cancer.