Event brings messages of hope, a run for life
Positive attitude is key
in battling cancer,
survivors say

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff The Scarecrow (Don Taylor), Tin Man (Paul Willitts), Dorothy (Bobbie Pippin) and the Cowardly Lion (Holly Warrick) strut down the yellow brick road during the Relay for Life Walk in support of Greg “Topsie” Taylor at the New Egypt High School Saturday.

BY JANE MEGGITT

Staff Writer

Where there is life, there is hope. It’s an old adage that has special meaning to cancer survivors and their families.

That was evident at the third annual Allentown-Upper Freehold-New Egypt Relay for Life, which was held on June 12-13 at New Egypt High School. The event celebrated life and raised money for the American Cancer Society to fight the disease.

Keynote speaker Al Cenci, 49, of Old Bridge, has been battling cancer for virtually his entire life. He was first diagnosed with retinal blastoma at the age of 18 months and underwent surgery to remove his eye. In 1994, Cenci’s cancer led surgeons to remove 80 percent of his stomach, and he was given only three to six months to live.

Since then, he has had tumors in his brain, thigh, sinus cavity, lung, hamstring and pelvic bone. But he is now in remission.

"I’ve always had a positive outlook on life," said the husband and father of four. "To those who are currently battling [cancer], never give up the fight."

Madeline Mattaliano of Millstone was recently diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. She completed her radiation and chemotherapy last fall and credits her daughter, Gabrielle, 17, with the inspiration to keep going.

A cancer diagnosis "just makes you appreciate everything," Mattaliano said. "Life is short. We should take time and enjoy every moment."

The theme for this year’s relay was "There’s No Business Like Show Business." A record 35 teams competed as characters from various movies and television shows.

Co-chairman Ivan Olinsky, of Upper Freehold, was on the "South Pacific" team and looked dashing in a naval uniform. A Navy veteran, he confessed that the costume was a rental, as he can no longer fit into his original uniform.

The Pannick family of Millstone and Upper Freehold appeared as members of "Gilligan’s Island." Dolores Pannick and Frank Sr. were Mary Ann and the Skipper, while son, Frank Jr., and his wife, Mary Margaret, were Gilligan and Ginger. The families — who have both lost young people to cancer — have thrown themselves into fund raising for the American Cancer Society with a passion.

Relay for Life features a survivor’s dinner and a luminaria ceremony to honor the memory of those lost to the disease, as well as awards given to honor survivors.

Despite the seriousness of the subject, the event focuses on fun, with lots of team games, music and fair events. The weekend as a great success, Olinsky said.

"We had twice the amount of survivors," he said. "More children were involved with the teams. It was a huge success. Everybody had a real good time."

Olinsky estimated that the event raised about $100,000 for cancer patient advocacy and research, about the same amount as last year.

Thyroid cancer made Kathy Chesmel, 41, of Cream Ridge, evaluate what was important in her life. Chesmel has two degrees from Ivy League schools. She did her undergraduate work at Princeton University and received her doctorate in biomedical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

She happened to be in New York City for a job interview on Sept. 11, 2001.

"I was never in physical danger, but I couldn’t get back home," she recalled.

The mother of two young sons, Chesmel found that the combination of cancer and 9/11 made her rethink her career.

"It didn’t matter a lot what my job title was or how much money I made," she stated.

She now teaches chemistry and physics at New Egypt High School.

"I hope I’m a role model for the kids," she said.

Chesmel, whose mother died from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, must be on medication for the rest of her life.

"I don’t take things for granted," she said. "I was never overly material, but was driven to achieve. If I want to use two Ivy League degrees to teach [high school] chemistry, that’s fine," she added.

Co-chair Maggie Gilbert of Millstone has lost several siblings to cancer.

"I’m clean," she said in her opening remarks. "It’s gone. It’s over. I’m healthy." Precious words, especially to those fighting cancer.

Cancer touches everyone in some way, she said.

"You might be like me and have lost family members to the disease," she continued. "You might have a co-worker who is battling some form of cancer. You might be a survivor. Whatever your circumstances, we are here for you. Remember, there is no finish line until a cure is found."

Gilbert’s husband, George, said that they had put in "countless hours" preparing for the relay and are dedicated to finding a cure.

Preparations for next year’s relay will begin shortly. Anyone interested in participating should call Ivan Olinsky at (609) 259-7671, ext. 101.