Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way Inc., a not-for-profit organization started by the Eslick Family of Plainview, is a group of kids that work together to help other kids.

"The concept of Kids Helping Kids is simply to get kids at a young age to give of themselves unselfishly to help others and to do that at a young age and continue that as they become adults," said Robert Sr., executive director of Kids Helping Kids. "They can make a difference in their lives as well as the lives of others with the benefactor being a child that they are helping along the way."

A Day of Beauty Fundraiser has been set for April 19 at Syosset's Cactus Salon and Day Spa, located at 348 Jericho Turnpike, to benefit 19-month-old Bellport resident Gina Marie DiMartino. She was born with ocular neurofibromatosis, which means tumors grow on her optical nerve, cavernous sinus, carotid artery, cheek, palate and mouth.

Cactus Owner Carolyn DeBido graciously offered 50 percent off services for the day on April 19 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. According to DeBido, 100 percent donation will be made toward the Gina Marie DiMartino fund. In addition, Joe Falcone, owner of the Dunkin Donuts located at 59 Jackson Avenue in Syosset, will be supplying complimentary coffee and donuts and Paul Eberenz, owner of Woodbury Country Deli, will be offering complimentary sandwiches and salads at Cactus.

The DiMartino family will be attending the event at Cactus Salon, assuming that Gina is medically able, for their own Day of Beauty.

Gina will need at least ten costly surgeries over the next several years, with her most recent surgery involving the removal of her right eye. Gina is the first child in the United States to acquire this disease as an infant. The cost and intensity of her care is unimaginable.

According to Dr. David Spielsinger of Patchogue, Gina experiences respiratory problems and requires her bed to be placed in an inclined position at night to prevent sleep apnea and is also at risk for respiratory infections and experiences frequent colds. Gina has visual deficits and requires vision therapy, has gross motor delays and requires physical therapy, demonstrates a greater than 33 percent delay on her gross motor development exhibiting mastery of skills up to the 8 month level. Gina has feeding problems and requires speech therapy, is considered failure to thrive and exhibits inadequate weight and nutrition for her age. Gina's diet consists primarily of liquids with attempts to introduce more solid foods.

Gina is being closely monitored by gastroenterologists and may require a feeding tube. She is also at risk for seizures. Gina is going to require future medical intervention for tumor removal, but unfortunately the tumor portion located on the internal carotid is inoperable.

For more information on the fundraiser, please call Bob Eslick at 917-447-7095 or Paul Eberenz at 367-4180.

Anyone interested in donating money to Gina and her family, kindly make donations payable to: Kids Helping Kids c/o The Gina Marie DiMartino Foundation and send to: Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way Inc. at 19 Willow Rd., Old Bethpage, New York 11804-1133.

Those interested in getting involved with the organization, or for more information, can call Robert F. Eslick at 917-447-7095. The Kids Helping Kids Mission Statement is "If we as kids can teach the youth of America to help each other at a young age, Kids Helping Kids, imagine what we can do for each other when we become teenagers and then adults. After all, the youth of today is America's future tomorrow. Kids Helping Kids Making a World of Difference."