Warrington’s Jen Margolin wins Stars Di Prinzi Salon’s ‘Day for Mom’ for supporting her son through his brain cancer battle
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Jen Margolin used to be a self-described “normal person.” She’d hold grudges, complain about menial things, and honk her horn if someone was driving too slow. She was living proof of the inescapable daily grind so many are accustomed to, the routine of comfortable ordinariness that’s rarely broken until life decides it’s time.
Almost 10 years ago, this Warrington mom’s world was turned upside down when her youngest son Matthew, who was 12 years old at the time, was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Margolin could’ve let the pain of her new reality consume her. No one would’ve questioned if she took on a “woe is me” attitude, a natural reaction to learning your child has a 3 percent chance of long-term survival.
Instead, something sparked inside of Margolin, an unexplainable strength that allowed her to keep her hopes up for not only her and her son, but their entire family. Today, 21-year-old Matthew is cancer-free and thriving. In the midst of preparing to graduate from Millersville University, he searched for a way to give back to Margolin for helping him pull through one of the toughest obstacles of his life, usually with a smile.
When he learned Stars Di Prinzi Salon in Warrington was hosting a “Day for Mom” contest, with the winner receiving a day of pampering and dinner at Augusto’s Eclectic Restaurant in Warminster, he knew it would be the perfect treat for Margolin, who works long hours as a surgery assistant, sometimes seven days a week. In a heartfelt letter to the salon, Matthew explained in detail why his mom should be chosen.
“I don’t know how she does it. I don’t know how one person can have so much inside of her to give. It amazes me every time I see her. She is selfless, caring, so strong but so sweet, and a warrior for me,” he wrote. “I feel so many times that I just can never give enough back to her. So whenever I can, I try.”
Though Stars received more than 20 letters nominating well-deserving mothers, it was Matthew’s that truly caught master stylist Erica Lanza’s eye.
“Mothers usually put everyone else first, so we wanted to find a way to honor them,” Lanza said. “Jennifer is an amazing example of a strong mother and woman. This experience has reminded us that we all have obstacles in life and showing compassion to each other can make a huge difference.”
To learn more about Margolin’s inspiring story, and of course her thoughts on Matthew’s appreciative words, The Times caught up with her ahead of a highly-anticipated family reunion in Aruba, which would unite 15 members for the first time in a while.
Reflecting on those trying years, Margolin explained how she literally moved into Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with Matthew for 15 months while her husband kept things afloat at home, taking care of their older son, Dan.
On the cancer floor, there were 25 rooms hosting children diagnosed with virtually every form of cancer. As Margolin took in her and Matthew’s new surroundings, she noticed a number of families having a difficult time coping. The rooms were dark, the curtains drawn. Immediately, she vowed to give her son a happier experience, despite the circumstances.
“I was not going to let it change his life more than needed,” she said.
Within a few days, Matthew’s hospital room began to feel more like home. Margolin brought his bedroom area rug and Xbox, while her sister painted designs on the window. Every holiday was spent in that room, and Margolin made sure he didn’t miss out on any of the festivities. Despite a few questionable looks from nurses, the entire family enjoyed a multiple-course dinner on Thanksgiving followed by the delivery of a 6-foot artificial Christmas tree. Matthew’s friends were permitted to visit every Sunday, and Margolin collected weekly homework from his school so he didn’t fall behind in his studies.
An especially fond memory for Margolin is laying beside Matthew and watching cartoons together. With the sound muted, the two would each pick a character and ad lib the dialogue.
“It was so silly and so stupid, but we laughed so hard,” she said.
Another moment the duo still laughs about is when Matthew covered his IV in “poison control” magnets as a joke. According to Margolin, Matthew never started his day feeling upset. It was only after an extensive treatment, when he physically felt bad, that he let some darker emotions show.
“It was moments as opposed to a year,” she said.
Together, Margolin and her son conquered everything life threw at them in those 15 months — a brain surgery that left Matthew temporarily paralyzed, 31 radiation sessions and significant weight loss. Through all of this, even when Matthew’s heart stopped twice, Margolin never let him see her distraught. She embraced all of it with a strength and positivity she didn’t know existed and to this day, believes it helped Matthew survive. Out of the 11 kids on his floor with the same diagnosis, he was only one of two who lived.
“The laughing sparked something,” she said. “My job was to keep a smile on his face.”
Today, as Matthew prepares to graduate from Millersville with only minor motor issues, he and his family look back on those months in CHOP and years of recovery that followed with gratitude. While most people experience the “could’ve, would’ve, should’ve” epiphany in their golden years, they were gifted with that wisdom now. They no longer sweat the small stuff and appreciate the little things, especially the importance of loved ones.
“My two kids saw a glimpse into that life knowledge as teens,” Margolin said. “Our relationship would not be like this without this tragedy.”
Matthew’s letter to the salon is a strong testament to that relationship. Though Margolin certainly enjoyed the day of pampering and called her dinner at Augusto’s “the best I’ve had in years,” her main takeaway wasn’t the material aspect.
“I know he’s physically healthier, but to know he has joy in his heart,” she said. “He’s not bitter, not pretending. He’s not a dark person. He’s still a sweet, good-hearted person.”
Margolin admitted it was “excruciatingly terrifying” to see Matthew suffer. But for parents in similar situations, she provided a few words of advice.
“Situations are temporary, even pediatric brain cancer. There’s no reason it should change who you are,” she said. “I knew my son deserved to be happy.” ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
