Jim Cirone Runs NJ Marathon for ECF

This year’s New Jersey Marathon took place from May 1 - 3, 2009, in Long Branch. Not only was ECF designated as one of the beneficiaries, we had very special representation there. Volunteer Jim Cirone, who is a cancer survivor, donned an ECF tee-shirt and ran a half-marathon despite his treatment some years ago for Ewing’s Sarcoma in his left foot.

In Jim’s words, “I had radiation, 18 months of chemotherapy and surgery, and was fortunate that they were able to take out the effected bones and save my foot. It was one of the first times they tried limb salvaging surgery and I was very fortunate that it worked. Running the marathon is a great experience to see some old guy (I’m now 43) who’s basically living a normal life and competing in such a physical event.”

We are all proud of Jim, and thank him for promoting ECF. Most of all, we wish him continued good health.

GCCS Food Drive for Southern Region

On May 7, 2009 10th grade students from the Gloucester County Christian School in Sewell, New Jersey, delivered boxes of non-perishable food items for ECF’s Southern Regional Center’s Food Pantry. Debbie Catalano, the school’s Athletic Director and senior girl’s gym teacher, along with several students, delivered the food. The following is a list of the students who participated:

Ø Joshua Saunders
Ø Glenn Vasaturo
Ø Shelly Haney
Ø Catherine Kearney
Ø Lydia Hanna
Ø Jacqueline Raube
Ø Devon Cryon
Ø Shaunessy Hanrahan
Ø Susan Goodrow

We thank you all!

Firehouse Tour

We at the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation extend our gratitude to Steve Contreras of the West Belmar Fire Company. Steve once again invited several ECF kids for a tour. While there, the children were also treated to a firetruck ride and lunch. Check out some photos of Tony and Matthew and a few friends and siblings enjoying their tour!

Mother's Day Tea Party - You're Invited!

Please support our sponsors: Bigelow Tea and Ito En Ltd.

Suzie Cordially Invites you to a Private Mother’s Day Tea Party


My name is Suzie and I am the mother of a child with cancer. My son, Jake, was diagnosed at age six with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Jake’s journey ahead would consist of bone marrow biopsies/aspirations, lumbar punctures, blood draws, x-rays, scans and chemotherapy. After many delays and hospital stays, Jake completed 3 ½ years of treatment. He began his new life after cancer. However, on January 16, 2007, a year and a half after completing treatment, we were told Jake’s cancer was back. His brother Colton wasn’t a bone marrow match for Jake so it was decided chemotherapy would be the course of treatment. A year and a half later, it was clear that Jake’s treatment wasn’t going according to plan and it was decided that Jake would receive an unrelated bone marrow transplant due to the many delays in treatment. On July 29, 2008, Jake received a bone marrow transplant. The road to recover has been long and hard but he is back in school and is enjoying all his favorite activities.

Our family could not have gotten through this difficult journey without the support we received from the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation. The emotional support, financial support and food deliveries are valuable services that allowed us to focus on Jake’s care. It truly does take a village to raise a child. We can’t thank the staff and the many volunteers enough for what they have done for us. If I were asked to give advice to a newly diagnosed patient’s family, I would say, “Accept the help and just say thank you!”

This Mother's Day, you can help provide services to over 200 NJ families like mine, whose children are battling cancer. Best of all, you can do this without even leaving your kitchen table! All you have to do is enjoy a cup of tea on Mother’s Day, in honor of the mothers who are facing the enormous challenges of caring for a child with cancer. As you honor these moms, please take a moment to send a contribution to ECF . No gift is too small.

On behalf of all ECF moms, past and present, happy Mother’s Day!

Who Can Resist an Afternoon of Chocolate?

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the 2nd Annual Chocolate Lover’s Delight was held on Sunday, February 8th at the Sakima Country Club in Carney’s Point. Attendees were treated to a luncheon, a smorgasbord of delectable desserts, and a centerpiece chocolate fountain. There was also an auction table, a 50/50 raffle, and entertainment by students from the McAleer School of Irish Dance and the Broesler School of Irish Dance. Of the 12 dancers, one is ranked 5th in the world, and several compete both nationally and internationally.

Attending were General Manager Michael Drager of NuStar, and ECF Board Treasurer Steven Wooton. Contributing to an already successful afternoon, the fact that the Zachary and his family, recipients of ECF’s support, were able to be there, made this an even more meaningful time for all. Their Caseworker, Kim Cranstoun, addressed the crowd. Volunteer Event Coordinator Peg Kirsch and her team of helpers did an outstanding job in putting this event together, along with staff liaison and Southern Regional Director Laurie Ehrlich. Nearly $6,000 was raised to help families in this part of New Jersey.

Pointsettia Bash a Huge Success!

Each holiday season, 94.3 The Point FM holds a Pointsettia Bash to benefit the families served by the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation. This year's event took place on December 11 at The Headliner on Route 35 in Neptune, and featured New Jersey's own group, The Nerds.
Party-goers brought new, unwrapped gifts that were later distributed to ECF kids and their siblings.

Clips from this year's Pointsettia Bash can be viewed on You Tube.
One of the Eastern Region's volunteers, Izola Fix, is featured. ECF's Eastern Regional Director, Joann Passantino, was presented with a check by the Blue Knights for a fundraiser they held for us several months ago.
Check it out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1rq56UUgZk

Philanthropy Begins with Children

You may remember Kim Cranstoun, ECF Caseworker for the Salem County area, from a feature story in one of our recent newsletters. Kim has been battling cancer in her own family, since the diagnosis of her husband, Jamey, who has a brain tumor. Although mother and daughter are busy dealing with their own stress, Caeley, who is five years old, still managed to collect donations at her birthday party for the food pantry at ECF’s Southern Regional Center in Woodbury. This just demonstrates that in the face of adversity, and at the age of five, it’s never too soon to give back. ECF welcomes these gifts, and donations of any size. Please visit http://www.emmanuelcancer.org/ for more information on how you can get involved.