A Humboldt Park family starts a nonprofit to support immigrant cancer patients with resources and technology for better hospital experiences
Jona Siko’s father, Pandi Siku, faced a tough battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. He spent months in the hospital, and the experience was hard on their close-knit Albanian family. Jona shared that the language barrier made things even tougher.
To help her dad, she brought a Fire Stick to the hospital so he could watch Albanian shows and listen to music. It really brightened his days, even when he was in pain.
In honor of her father, Jona and her family started a nonprofit called Breathe of Hope. They want to provide similar resources to other immigrant families dealing with cancer. The name reflects their goal of ongoing support and resilience.
The family hopes to keep Pandi’s love for art and cinema alive through their work. They believe that even in tough times, they can turn their pain into something positive for others.
Having moved to Elmwood Park from Albania in 2001, Pandi was a well-known actor back home. After moving to the U.S., he took a maintenance job at a church.
After his passing, Jona connected with other Albanian families in Chicago who faced similar challenges in hospitals. They realized there was a real need to help immigrant families feel less alone during tough medical journeys.
Their first project is collecting streaming devices like Fire Sticks and Rokus to help cancer patients access international content. Jona believes this will help patients forget their pain, even if just for a moment.
So far, they’ve gathered 30 devices from a donation drive. As the nonprofit grows, Jona plans to reach out to local hospitals and nurses for support.
If you have a used streaming device, you can donate it at Jona’s print shop in Humboldt Park. Just contact her to set up a time. It’s a great way to help others in need!
