An update on James Panitz

[Photo of James from last year courtesy of Damian Panitz]

Last October, we told you the story of James Panitz in a post titled Despite plea, landlord doubling rent on East Village family with cancer-stricken 2 year old.

Shortly before his 2nd birthday, doctors diagnosed James with rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer often found in children. He lives with his parents, Damian Panitz and Kate Perry, on East First Street. (Last September, friends and neighbors held "James Day," a benefit in First Park to help cover medical expenses.)

While James was undergoing intensive chemo and radiation therapy, they learned that their landlord, Steve Croman of Croman Realty/Croman 9300, was doubling their rent from $2,100 to $4,100. At the time, James, a technician with NYU, and Kate, a nurse, could not afford the price bump. Worse, moving James during his extensive treatment could have been detrimental to his recovery.

Last fall, Damian said Croman reps were not receptive to just a 10 percent rent hike while James recovered. They said they'd move out as soon as James was well enough.

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That was the last we heard from Damian. This past weekend, he provided an update.

First, the really good news. While doctors will continue to monitor James for a few more years, "so far he is doing great," Damian reported.

"It's been almost eight weeks since my son's final chemotherapy session," Damian said. "We had an entire six weeks without a clinic visit, an emergency room visit."

As for the housing situation, shortly after the story on James appeared, Damian said that they received a six-month extension without the rent hike.

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Damian and Kate are making plans to move by the end of May. Unfortunately, they are having challenges finding an apartment in their price range in the East Village.

"We would love to stay in our neighborhood, but everywhere we've looked the prices are [too expensive]. We are looking at Brooklyn. We hope to find something not too crippling. It's funny, you'd think two hard-working people could find a place around here," said Damian, a longtime East Village resident. (His mother's family emigrated to St. Mark's Place in the early 1920s from Bratislava, Slovakia.)

Meanwhile, he said that Croman is letting the current property go on East First Street. Workers removed all of the yard furniture, BBQ and garden buckets out back.

"Since then we've had a rat infestation — these rats are huge. I am afraid to take the trash out at night," Damian said. "As soon as I open the back door, they go running. Scattering all over the place, under your feet and up the walls. At night you can hear the rats fighting over a parcel of trash with trash can lids clinking."

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"In summary I have a lot to be grateful for. My son is doing well. It's terrific to have a sense that he will grow up."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Despite plea, landlord doubling rent on East Village family with cancer-stricken 2 year old

Tomorrow in First Park: 'James Day,' benefit for 2 year old with cancer

The clinic that treated James is having a walkathon on May 19 on the Upper West Side to raise funds and spread awareness of children's cancers. People do not have give money — you can simply walk, learn about childhood cancers and gain knowledge that could be passed on to other families. Find more details here.

Despite plea, landlord doubling rent on East Village family with cancer-stricken 2 year old

On Sept. 22, members of the community came together to organize a fundraiser called "James Day" in First Park in support of James Panitz.

Shortly before his 2nd birthday this past spring, doctors diagnosed James with rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer often found in children. He has been undergoing intensive chemo and radiation therapy, and while the results are encouraging, a long course of treatment remains ahead of him. The related medical expenses have been overwhelming for his family.

James' father Damian Panitz, a longtime East Village resident who is a teacher and technician at NYU, said that while the event was a success and raised funds to help with medical expenses, the family now faces a new challenge.

Damian and his wife Kate Perry recently learned that their landlord, Steve Croman of Croman Realty/Croman 9300, is nearly doubling their rent on East First Street from $2,100 to $4,100 a month.

"We absolutely cannot afford this price bump," Damian told me. "And to move in the middle of my son's treatment could be disastrous to his health."

[Photo of James courtesy of Damian Panitz]

So, when paying the October rent in person at the Croman office on Broadway, Damian's wife Kate outlined the situation to a Croman rep, explaining that they needed one more year until James is healthier.

Per Damian:

She explained that we could not possibly sign a lease for $4,100 but pleaded that if our rent were to raise would he be so nice to consider a 10 percent raise? His attitude was snarky. He said they are running a business and not a charity and he could possibly find something cheaper for us somewhere else.

She explained again that moving out in January could be detrimental to his condition, not to mention we work nearby and the ability to check on our son during our breaks is essential. He then said "so you want me to do you a favor?" She said no, do a favor for a 2 year old boy with cancer. It's just one more year.

Damian says they were planning on moving after Croman bought the building 18 months ago. However, James' illness has complicated any move.

"We figured we would wait out the lease and go. However, since our son has been ill, it is suggested we keep him where he is until he hopefully regains his health."

The family hopes to continue to plead their case to Croman. As a backup, they'll try to quickly find another affordable apartment in the neighborhood, where Damian and Kate want to stay.

"My mother's family emigrated to St. Mark's Place in the early 1920s from Bratislava, Slovakia," Damian said. "My uncle has lived in the East Village for 45 years," he said. "And now I would like to raise my son here."