NJ Teen With Cancer Forgives Thief Who Stole Donation Jar With $300 In It

ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A teenager's response to a woman who stole a donation jar to help pay for his cancer treatment is setting an example for us all.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, a tight-knit community in Elizabeth, New Jersey came together to help raise money to support 16-year-old Kevin Blanco, who is battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"Kevin is part of our community -- Argentinian, Uruguay community," said Adriana Corbo.

"He's been doing good. He's been feeling very blessed for the support of all the community," said Blanco's mother, Silvina Novas.

To help pay for his medical bills, a donation jar was placed in Alkazar Bakery.

"I just want to thank everybody that supports me and donated to me. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be able to get through this," Blanco said.

But on Monday, a woman swiped the jar. Surveillance video shows the woman order a sandwich and then stuff the jar containing $300 into her jacket when the worker goes into the back, Baker reported.

The thief then left the bakery on Jersey Avenue and turned right toward First Avenue. That's where Elizabeth police caught 27-year-old Jessica Lopez red-handed, near her home on Livingston and First Avenue.

Police said she admitted to taking the donations. She's charged with theft and faces up to 6 months in county jail, Baker reported.

"I realize that there's some people who aren't as wealthy and aren't as fortunate as some of us are. I realize that maybe she needed it for her family or her son," said Blanco.

"I'm happy because she shouldn't have done that, but I hope nothing really bad happens to her; maybe it's a lesson," said Novas.

A lesson in forgiveness from one strong kid, Baker reported.

Meanwhile, the Elizabeth Patrolmen's Benevolent Association is donating $500 to replace the stolen money.