We’re used to featuring local inspiring women for our Hoboken Girl of the Week series, but it’s not so often {this is an exciting first, actually} that we feature a totally adorable four-year-old. Our HG of the Week is Satya, cancer survivor + Hoboken resident — and star of her mama’s new book, Super Satya Saves the Day, out later this year. Read on to see our {hilarious and super cute} interview with this mini Mile Square resident {with some help from her mama, Raakhee}:
About Satya
Satya is 4 years old and likes chasing pigeons on the pier, eating pizza at Tony Boloney’s, and thinking of ways to to con her parents into buying her cookies. She’s also the star of a new book, “Super Satya Saves the Day”, out later this year and available for pre-order now. The book is written by Satya’s mother Raakhee Mirchandani.
In her first year of life, Satya was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that generally affects children under five. In and out of hospitals from June to September of that year, Satya was found to have a tumor in her abdomen, which required intensive treatment including a six-hour surgery. Thankfully, within her first year, hundreds of doctor appointments, a hospital stay, and a successful surgery, she was cancer-free. Read more about the journey featured on Glamour here.
Since that time, Satya and her mom, Raakhee, a writer/editor for the New York Daily News, have been dedicated to raising money for numerous charities that help raise funds for treatment and research for childhood cancer. In 2015, Raakhee ran a half marathon and raised over $50,000 for the Tomorrows Children’s Fund {which combats childhood cancer and blood disorders}. Most recently, Satya and her mom teamed up with local businesses including Little City Books, Hudson River Fitness, Tony Boloney’s, Baking Mama and raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tomorrow Children’s Fund – over $500,000 total. Rockstars, to say the least.
About the Book:
Super Satya is ready to have a super day, including finally conquering the tallest slide in Hoboken. But her day takes a not so super turn when she realizes her superhero cape is stuck at the dry cleaner. Will she be able to face her fears, help her friends and be the true hero everyone knows she is? “Super Satya Saves The Day”, introducing Satya, a precocious Indian-American superhero, written by Raakhee Mirchandani, illustrated by Tim Palin and published by Bharat Babies will be in bookstores Fall 2018. Pre-order here.
On Her Inspirations
What’s inspiration? Oh, ok. So, maybe, pizza is my inspiration?
On What Keeps Her Motivated/Up at night?
Big, big loud horns beeping in the street. {Editors Note: we feel you, girl #HobokenProblems}
On Her Goals + Passions
Goals: I want to learn how to swim, read, and how to make rotis. {Mom’s note: Rotis are a flat Indian bread and she’s obsessed}
Passions: I really love my family. And books. I love buying new ones and giving books to other friends, like when I go to a birthday party.
READ: Hoboken Girl of the Week: Dusty Weideman {of Massage by Dusty}
A Typical Day in the Life
Eat oatmeal, go to school, say hi to Caroline (the crossing guard), hug people – that’s a normal thing, everyone does that. Then my mama or dada picks me up and I want to go to a restaurant or the park. I don’t have a job. But when I do, the best part will be meeting my new boss. She’ll be so nice.
Highlight of Life {So Far}
The most exciting thing that ever happened to me was when my dad called me on Alexa. I didn’t know it was a phone! Also, when I learned how to use floaties and could go in the swimming pool by myself. Oh, and when my mama wrote a book for me. That’s a really good one, right?
What a Day Off is Like
I listen to a lot of songs – “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Sunday Morning” by Gwen Stefani and “Who Run the World, Girls” by Beyonce. I like to watch TV, but my mama doesn’t let me watch anything except for “Electric Company” and “Sesame Street”. Sometimes my dada lets me watch football. And go to the bookstore and the park.
Hoboken + Jersey City Favorites:
Favorite restaurant in Hoboken?
Hmmmm, let me see. Tony Boloney’s for pizza, Shaka Bowl for smoothies, Choc o Pain for chocolate croissants and Baking Mama for white macarons. Oh and Onieals for Happy Hour and penne vodka, of course!
Favorite boutique in Hoboken?
Little City Books because I love books. Books are my favorite.
Athleta, so I can see my friends Brigid and Summer. I work there! {Mom’s Note: She doesn’t work there, she just loves the crew that works there!}
What do you love most about Hoboken?
That I have so many friends here.
See More: Hoboken Girl of the Week: Olympic Wrestler Helen Maroulis
How long have you lived and/or worked in Hoboken?
I was borned here!
What is your favorite outdoor place to spend time in Hoboken/JC?
Church Square Park
Where do you hang out with friends in the area?
Mom’s note: With my kids friends, we go to the parks or The Inner Athlete for sports class. With my grown-up friends we go to The Brass Rail or Onieals.
What is something you think needs to come to Hoboken or Jersey City?
Sesame Place and a Wonder Woman store.
Not sure if we can ever top the cuteness of today’s Hoboken Girl of the Week.
Want to be featured or nominate someone as an upcoming Hoboken Girl of the Week?
Email hello@hobokengirl.com about your/her story {all ages welcome!}.
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