The Hammonton Gazette 06/06/18 Edition | Page 4

Hammonton Cancer Foundation raises funds with annual walk Wednesday, June 6, 2018 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3 WALK, from Page 1 inside Hammonton Middle School (HMS) after being held outdoors on the track of HMS’s William t. Capella field in recent years. the “Walk for Our Neighbors” is one of the HCf’s two principal fundraising events along with its “Helping Our Neighbors Dinner” that takes place in the fall. Collectively, the events raise an average of more than $40,000 per year, according to HCf President David Mauriello. the money raised by the HCf is distributed to local cancer patients in need of financial assistance via the South Jersey Cancer fund (SJCf), a Brigantine-based nonprofit organization that has been providing aid to atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland County cancer patients and their families since 1964. the HCf has been a sponsor and donor to the SJCf for more than a decade, and have donated nearly $300,000 to the fund during that period. SJCf treasurer anne Breyer, who participated in the “Walk for Our Neighbors” for the second consecutive year, said the Hammonton community has continually been a key contributor to the SJCf’s yearly cash balance, which last year totaled approximately $130,000 and was used to support about 400 patients in southern New Jersey. “What they do is amazing. the residents of Hammonton are very generous … We wouldn’t survive without them,” Breyer said. Breyer said Hammontonians’ shared understanding of the pervasive, overwhelming and far- too-common effects that cancer has on a majority of families is the primary source of the widespread generosity they have shown the SJCf. “they can relate to it. they know that they have family members who had cancer and maybe they needed help … Someone always needs help, so they’re willing to give money towards it,” Breyer said. Mauriello personally experienced cancer’s effects when he was diagnosed with the disease in 1993. He is now 24 years cancer-free, but said the altruistic support of cancer patients is a virtue that will always resonate with him. Looking for the perfect gown? Stop in our shop to see what’s new! One Sindoni Lane, Suite C, Hammonton (609) 270-7886 • www.meadowsbridalshop.com We carry gorgeous dresses by: David Tutera, Casablanca, Mori Lee, and so much more! C USTOM E NGAGEMENT R INGS & W EDDING B ANDS R EPAIRS C OMPLETED ON P REMISES 121 S. White Horse Pike Across from McDonald’s Hammonton • 561-6222 “it’s hugely important to me. i knew from when i went through it that it was going to be a part of my life from then on because i know how it was for me. i was fortunate enough to have a wonderful family that supported me—and i had a terrific job and a terrific work family—and it was still very difficult. So, i know that people need the things that we do,” Mauriello said. the HCf assembled a large group of participants during the “Walk for Our Neighbors,” many of whom are cancer survivors. Prior to this year’s walk commencing, a survivor’s rece