Caring to find a cure
Annual Care to Walk raises research money, awareness for cancer
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

ANDREW MILLER staff Cancer survivors took a ceremonial first lap around the North Brunswick Township High School track during the ninth annual Care to Walk event on Saturday.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - A little boy named Alex spoke into the microphone. With hundreds of people in front of him at the high school football track, his voice still rose above everyone.

"She spoiled me all the time," you could hear him say, with the notice of his voice quivering. He spoke of his grandmother, Nana Albuquerque, who passed away at the age of 61 after battling cancer for 10 years.

"She was only in my life for nine years," he said, recalling how they always used to bake sugar cookies together. "Today, our family and friends are walking for her because we'll never forget her."

Alex's story was just one of many stories about personal dealings with breast and ovarian cancer, the purpose of the ninth annual North Brunswick Care to Walk, held Saturday morning. The yearly event seeks to promote awareness of the diseases as well as the necessity of early detection and treatment to help slow the mortality rate.

ANDREW MILLER staff Mary Chyb spoke of her sister, Joyce Zimmerman, who passed away this year after battling cancer for 20 years, while accompanied by her grandniece Alyssa Callan.

"I think it's pretty important for me that [the donations] go to the Cancer Institute [of New Jersey, in New Brunswick] because everyone here is for it, and that's our main purpose, to help the Cancer Institute so we can find a cure for cancer," said Kim Evangelista, the president of the high school's Care to Walk club.

Last year, the school raised over $25,000 for the Cancer Institute, enabling them to help those afflicted with cancer, as well as create a math and science program focusing on prevention, awareness and treatment.

"It makes a big difference just by everybody showing up. It means they care about this and they want to help and support us with it," the high school junior said. "We should have fun, because we're helping to show awareness of breast cancer, because we want to do this."

Evangelista was inspired to join the club because her aunt, Evelyn Smirnow, is a breast cancer survivor. Celebrating her 10th year this year, Smirnow was one of the co-founders of the township organization after her own diagnosis, as a way to help other women cope.

"Chemotherapy may have cured me, but you guys, your support, has healed me. Let's keep healing each other," Smirnow said.

Another North Brunswick resident who was inspired to participate in Care to Walk is Angie Seaman, who has been walking in honor of breast cancer awareness for seven years, at both Care to Walk and the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure. She began walking with her friend Mary Francis Celona-Nikovics, who was diagnosed with cancer. She and her sister, Nina Celona- Bugnikos, who was also afflicted with cancer, have both since passed away.

"I want to prevent so many young moms from dying," Seaman said.

She now involves her daughter Victoria, who is a sophomore at the high school and a member of their Care to Walk club, and her daughter Daria, a student at Linwood Middle School, because she said it is important to teach them in school that they need to protect themselves at an early age.

"It's easier, for one, for me to bring my family with me. My daughters walk with me as well. They're doing this for other friends and parents as well. It makes them more aware, and I like that," Seaman said.

Inspired by their own personal health concerns, Tony and Arlitra Harris, of Franklin Park, stretched along with Rojon Torres and Chris Skolsky of L.A. Fitness.

"We made a commitment to better our health, so this is a great kickoff to do that," Tony Harris said. His aunt was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and his sister-in-law passed away from ovarian cancer.

"We definitely have to raise awareness because a lot of the mortality of the disease can definitely be prevented if caught early," he said. "We're not getting any younger, so prevention is the key. Exercise, a better diet, and other things can strengthen the body and improve the immune system."

Inspired by his own personal story, DJ Phil Forti, who was the emcee of the event, told of how he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 28, despite being in the best shape of his life.

"Guys, go get checked, because the reason I'm here is early detection," he said.

Also an employee of the postal service, Forti said that the breast cancer stamp was reinstated this year, already having brought forth $750 million from Americans, with $55 million having been donated to cancer research.

During the initial ceremony, the Girl Scouts led the pledge of Allegiance and the high school choir sang. Marta Perez of the Middlesex County Health Department spoke of free mammograms, pap smears and prostate and colorectal exams, as well as flu and pneumonia shots offered through the county. Michelle Walker of the Cancer Institute expressed her appreciation of Care to Walk having "helped thousands of women with breast and ovarian cancer."

Then, family members of Mary Vite Dickinson, Joyce Zimmerman and Gil Godoy spoke of their relatives, to whom this year's walk was dedicated. After a moment of silence and the singing of "Hero" by Erin Regan, the survivors did their first lap around the stadium track. After the ribbon cutting, their family and friends joined them around the track as Jacqueline Angstreich sang, and then everyone continued underneath a flag hoisted by the North Brunswick and Franklin Township fire department and out to the surrounding neighborhoods. At the completion of the walk and run, everyone joined in having lunch and waiting for raffle prize announcements.

For more information about the Care to Walk association, visit www.CaretoWalk.com or e-mail Info@CaretoWalk. com. Additional donations can be sent to Evelyn Smirnow, 7 Jessica Lane, North Brunswick, 08902.