Tree Lighting Sept. 6 to Honor Kids Cancer Foundation

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LONG BRANCH – The Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, as part of The Children’s Hospital at Mon­mouth Medical Center, will host a special Tree Lighting Ceremony and Reception honoring Make Some Noise: Cure Kids Cancer Foun­dation 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 in front of the Sea Bright firehouse, 1099 East Ocean Ave.
The event is part of the Go Gold for Pediatric Cancer Cam­paign, a joint effort between Make Some Noise: Cure Kids Cancer Foun­dation and Monmouth Medical Center.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the need for critical research funding during the month of Septem­ber, which is recognized nationally as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the Ameri­can Childhood Cancer Organ­i­za­tion, each boy in the United States has a 1-in-300 chance of being diagnosed with cancer before his 20th birthday; every girl has a 1-in-333 chance. In spite of such high statistics, less than 3 percent of federal cancer research funding goes to pediatric cancer.
The tree lighting event will feature personal perspectives from children and families who have benefited from The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Monmouth Medical Center, including Tim and Beth McLoone of McLoone’s Restaurants and their son Jack, plus commentary from Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Sea Bright Mayor Dina and Margaret Fisher, M.D., chair of pediatrics and medical director of The Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center.
Gold ribbons – the trademark color of the Make Some Noise Foundation – will be available for all participants to place on the tree. After the tree is decorated, the crowd will be invited to raise their voices for pediatric cancer awareness alongside ringing church bells and fire alarms. A reception will immediately follow the program.
“We are excited to bring the Sea Bright community together to raise awareness and ‘make some noise’ for such an important cause,” said Susan Dulczak, clinical director, The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Mon­mouth Medical Center. “Pediatric cancer is a disease with a devastating impact on both children and their families. There is a crucial need for more pediatric cancer research and funding,”
Also on hand at the event will be information about Roll Out The Ribbons, Monmouth Medical Center’s unique awareness campaign designed to strengthen the fight against all types of cancer and honor courageous individuals who have and are fighting the battle.
To learn more about Roll Out the Ribbons, visit www.rollouttheribbons.com or call 1-877-360-6275. Get connected by “liking” Roll Out The Ribbons on Facebook and following @RollOutRibbons on Twitter.
For more information about Make Some Noise, visit www.makenoise4kids.org. For further information about The Children’s Hos­pital at Mon­mouth Medical Center or the Valerie Fund, please visit www.barnabashealth.org/Monmouth.