Caroline Fund 5K to Benefit Brain, Spine Tumor Research

The first annual Caroline Fund 5K will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, at St. Aloysius Church in Caldwell.

The 5K run/walk will raise money for the Caroline Vandermark Fund for Brain and Spine Tumor Research at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. The fund was created in memory of a Caldwell woman who died from a rare and aggressive brain tumor at age 22.

Vandermark was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in June 2012 and died a little more than a year later after what family and friends called a courageous battle. The young woman was a graduate of East Stroudsburg University and continued to take college courses as she faced each day of her treatment with a smile and a positive attitude, according to those who knew her best.

Her doctors at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center named the Caroline Vandemark Fund for Brain and Spine Tumor Research in her memory. The fund provides cutting-edge clinical care and research for primary and metastatic brain tumors, as well as varied neurological complications of cancer.

In support of this cause, Caroline’s family and friends established The Caroline Fund, a non-profit organization.

In addition to 5K participants, sponsors are sought to help defray associated costs so all proceeds can go directly to the foundation.

For more information and to register for the 5K, visit www.carolinefund5K.com or contact Kathy at 201-618-6738 or carolinefund5K@gmail.com.