Meet AJ Perna, a 10-year-old from Rumson whose passion for the ocean runs as deep as his courage. A 5th grader at Dean Porter School, AJ’s roots are firmly planted in his close-knit family: mom Eliza, dad Anthony, and two loving sisters, Everly (12) and Kitson (8), students at Forrestdale and Dean Porter schools, respectively.
In late May, life took an unexpected turn when AJ was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. Since then, he has shown incredible strength during his treatment at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, where he’s under the care of some of the most dedicated doctors around. His determination through rounds of procedures and lengthy hospital stays has inspired everyone who knows him.
AJ isn’t your average kid—he lives to fish, surf, and breathe in the salt air. Between days on the water and casting from the shore, AJ finds time to tear up the fields and rinks with lacrosse, football, basketball, and hockey. It’s no surprise his fishing dreams are just as adventurous: his dreams include reeling in a marlin and a big tuna, fishing in the waters of the Florida Keys, diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and even cage diving with great white sharks. One of AJ’s goals is to earn his PADI certification and explore the underwater world firsthand.
The support for AJ extends far beyond hospital walls. The Rumson-Fair Haven community, teammates from Mad Dog Lacrosse and Red Bank Bucks Football, and friends have rallied behind him in extraordinary ways. The lacrosse world—spanning his Mad Dog Club, RFH High School, Princeton Lacrosse (his father’s alma mater), and the Premier Lacrosse League—has sent gear, uplifting messages, and unrelenting encouragement. When AJ was finally able to come home after weeks at the hospital for a few days, his return turned into quite the event. The Rumson Fire and Police Departments escorted him through town, met by welcoming faces, cheers, and hand-painted signs. AJ wasted no time returning to what he loves: bike rides, being around the people he loves most, and—of course—fishing.
One recent highlight was a fishing trip with Capt. Brian Rice, captain of Jersey Devil Fishing Charters and Kids Camp. Although AJ had to withdraw from camp this summer, Capt. Brian made good on a promise: when AJ felt strong enough, he would get back out on the water with him and fish. That perseverance paid off when AJ reeled in the biggest fluke of the season, 24 inches of pure victory!
Through treatment milestones and any challenge ahead, AJ and his family are bolstered by their community’s unwavering support. Every kind gesture, message, prayer, and smile fuels AJ’s determination to get back to school, back in the game, and above all, back out fishing. No matter what comes next, AJ Perna embodies the true spirit of a fisherman: brave, optimistic, and ready for the next adventure.
The tides may ever turning, but with his family, friends, and community by his side, AJ’s story is one of hope, unity, and dreams as big as the ocean itself.
