“Wings of Hope” Community Event Honors National Cancer Survivors Day® at Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey

Bedminster, NJ, May 10, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Each year, the first Saturday in June brings Wings of Hope, the fun, family friendly community event hosted by the Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey to honor National Cancer Survivor’s Day®

Known for its happy country fair atmosphere, this open to the public, free event is on June 6th from 9 am to 12 noon and enjoys a wide range of activities. Everything and everyone from Creature Comfort therapy dogs, Sparkee the Patriots Mascot, drumming, tai chi chih and healthy cooking demonstrations to balloons, bubbles, and kid crafts and a learning treasure hunt will be on-hand.

This colorful and congenial day is a celebration for cancer survivors, an inspiration to those just beginning their journey, and a gathering of support for all those affected by cancer. There is an optional one mile walk at 10:00 am where survivors, caregivers, family members and community supporters walk to raise awareness and pay tribute to loved ones. Walkers sign up at the event or pre-register for the walk at www.cancersupportcnj.org/wings.

Each year the walkers wear bright orange T-Shirts with artwork designed by the winners of the Wings of Hope student design competition. This year’s winners are 17-year-old Shayan of North Brunswick Township High School whose stunning graphic design will appear on the adult shirts while the youth t-shirts will feature the happy design submitted by Megan, a talented 4th grader from Thelma Sandmeier School in Springfield, NJ.

Using the butterfly as a symbol of hope, beautiful handmade paper butterfly tributes are labeled with names of survivors or in memoriam and are displayed throughout the morning. The day culminates with the release of 144 live Monarch butterflies, timed to coincide with the Monarch’s natural migration pattern.

New this year, is the clothing drive. Attendees are being encouraged to donate their used clothing at the event. Clothing can be dropped off by anyone in the community from 9:30 am – 11:30 am. Donors can just follow the signage to a drive-up drop-off.

In addition to a morning packed with activities, each year, the Dawn C. Peragallo Spirit of Courage award is presented to someone who has impacted the lives of others affected by cancer. This year’s honoree is Thomas Foley. Mr. Foley is a former CSCCNJ Board Trustee and volunteer instructor. Professionally, he is the founding Senior Partner of Foley Proctor Yoskowitz. Mr. Foley’s healthcare background is extensive. In 1986, Mr. Foley became the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Health Systems, Inc. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. In addition, he served as Chairman of the New Jersey State Health Care Administration Board and held appointments to various committees and panels for the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the New Jersey State Department of Higher Education, as well as numerous hospital boards.

For more than a decade, Cancer Support Community Central NJ (CSCCNJ) has been providing oncology mental health services at no charge to patients, survivors, family members, friends and caregivers. All services are covered solely through donations from the community. CSCCNJ offers professional support to address the emotional and social impact of the disease on the whole person and their entire family throughout their very personal journey. One of the most important times is when a patient moves into survivorship. According to Amy Sutton, Executive Director “Individuals often feel alone after losing their health care team and the intensity of interaction that occurs when in treatment. Left to navigate their “new normal” in the community, many are unsure how to meet the challenges that they will face, how to talk about their experience, or how to cope with the fear of recurrence among other issues. It is important that they feel they are part of a community. This sense of belonging, of not feeling alone, is something that is fostered across all the programs offered at Cancer Support Community Central NJ.”

Wings of Hope will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the Cancer Support Community grounds at 3 Crossroads Drive in Bedminster, New Jersey. To sponsor, purchase butterfly tributes, or the walk registration or for more information about the Wings of Hope visit cancersupportcnj.org/wings, call (908) 658-5400, or e-mail centralnj@cancersupportcnj.org.

About the Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey (CSCCNJ): Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey is a local licensed affiliate of Cancer Support Community, an international non-profit organization that provides free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes social and emotional support, CSCCNJ creates a supportive community to help individuals live with, through and beyond cancer. We deliver a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services including professionally led support groups, educational workshops, exercise, nutrition classes and social activities for the entire family – so that no one faces cancer alone®. For more information please visit our website at www.cancersupportcnj.org or call (908) 658-5400.