Surviving for Shore

Inspiration, Strength Give Fitness-Support Group Momentum

Join me on my journey as I run, bike and more with Surviving for Shore

I do not have cancer. But I trust that someone close to me at some point in my life will. I arrived at Forever Young Nursery School Wednesday for Surviving for Shore’s kickoff meeting nervous and afraid I would not belong. Cancer survivors Michele Reimer and Tina Kennis founded the group with the premise of strengthening those impacted by cancer through physical fitness. I'm not unfamiliar with the disease. My grandfather died just more than a year ago at 100 years old. While it didn't kill him, he did suffer from prostate cancer.  There also was Lainie, a church friend who died at 12. I was shy at that young age, and she was one of the few children I felt comfortable talking to. Lainie and I weren’t all that close, only interacting on the…

• Photos (1)

Lacey Township Shows Its Support for Kopack Family at Hebrew Park Fundraiser

All proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the family of young Ana Kopack, who recently lost her battle with cancer

The community of Lacey turned out by the hundreds at Hebrew Park on Friday evening to support the family of a local child who recently passed away. Ana Kopack, 10, of Lacey Township lost her battle against Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, on Wednesday, Sept. 26. She was diagnosed with the disease, which targets muscular tissue, in March 2011. A pair of Ana’s friends — Caitlyn and Ashlyn — devised the idea for the fundraiser, and had also taken an active role in participating in prior benefits for the Kopack Family through their soccer team. Both of their mothers eagerly stepped in to help coordinate the activities at Hebrew Park. “We have 100 gift baskets and giveaways that we’re raffling off tonight. We have a bake sale, a snack …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (6)

Hebrew Park Fundraiser to Benefit Ana Kopack's Family

The Lacey community rallies together to help the Kopacks after Ana, 10, lost her battle with cancer

A benefit for the Kopack family will be held at Hebrew Park at 6 p.m. Friday. Ana Kopack, 10, of Lacey lost her battle with cancer on Wednesday, Sept. 26. She was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in March 2011. Ana’s friends Caitlyn and Ashlyn put together the benefit. The girls had been involved in fundraisers for the Kopacks through their soccer team. “I was in my room one night and I texted Ashlyn and we came up with an idea to do this fundraiser,” Caitlyn said. One of Ashlyn’s fondest memories of Ana was at a fundraiser. “She was having a good time and acting like she wasn’t going through anything,” she said. Caitlyn described her as a “strong and beautiful” girl. The event will feature a gift auction, bake sale …

• Photos (1)

Loved Ones Remember Ana Kopack for Her Smiles, Hugs and Wisdom

Ana Kopack, 10, of Lanoka Harbor lost her battle with cancer on Wednesday, Sept. 26

Looking up to someone generally entails admiring someone of greater wisdom and experience, which usually comes with age. But in Lacey, many look up to someone of lesser stature, 10-year-old Anastasia Kopack. “She was 10 and she helped an 18-year-old girl through so much. If it wasn't for her I wouldn’t be where I am… She was amazing, and she could relate to so much at such a young age,” Rachel Lynn Inglis said of Ana. On Wednesday, Sept. 26 Ana, 10, lost her battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in March 2011. Although declared cancer free just more than a month ago, she started getting headaches and the doctors found a brain tumor. The tumor was removed successfully but others were found. …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (16)

PHOTOS: Lacey Dances for the Cure

High school's Interact Club puts on its largest fundraiser of the year

The Interact Club held one last fundraiser, Dance for the Cure, at Lacey Township High School to benefit Ocean of Love, a nonprofit for those suffering with pediatric cancer. Dance schools and teams joined together to raise funds. The event also featured a Chinese auction and a local teenage band. Approximately $8,000 was expected to be raised for Ocean of Love, which provides financial and emotional support to Ocean County children with cancer and their families. 

•  1 Comment
• Photos (16)

Kick Off for Spring Cancer Fundraiser Mixture of Joy and Tears

Relay for Life of Berkeley and Lacey set for May 19 and 20

About 100 cancer survivors, caregivers, families and friends joined together on Thursday night at Central Regional Middle School in Berkeley Township to start the push to set a new fundraising record for the 2012 American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Last year, 350 people participated in the Relay for Life of Berkeley and Lacey, raising more than $80,000. Currently, 18 teams with 83 people are signed up for the event, scheduled for May 19 and 20 at Veterans Park in Berkeley.  Starting at noon on May 19, team members will camp out at the park for 24 hours, taking turns walking around a track, enjoying activities and raising money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. Event Chair Roxanne Stephens, who lost her …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (15)

Sherry Kriss-Dillane

6:51 pm on Sunday, February 19, 2012

My prayers are with everyone who is fighting. I had lost my father on Christmas Day 2003 to lung cancer, and my mother March 17, 2009 to colon cancer. Although I myself am not fighting it, I know the value of someones life it takes away and the pain of the loved ones left behind. My condolences to those families who have lost loved ones as well. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you.. I …   more ›

ShopRite Takes on the PBA for Charity Softball Game

ShopRite held their seventh annual charity softball game to raise money for the Relay for Life.

ShopRite takes on Policemen's Benevolent Association 238 during the seventh annual charity softball game. All proceeds benefit the Relay for Life.

• Photos (10)