Local Cinnabon Raises Funds for Cancer Research

A local business is taking a sweet approach to fundraising for cancer research. 

Mayra Vargas, 20, has partnered with the local Cinnabon in Livingston Mall, where she works, to raise as much money as they can to fund breast cancer research. Vargas, whose mother Maria Coyotl Luna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, said she wanted to do something to fight the disease that affects so many people. 

“I’ve seen my mom go through that and there are other people going through the same thing that she is going through, like not having enough money” to get the necessary treatment, said Vargas, who lives in West Orange. 

Luna was diagnosed with breast cancer while Vargas was a freshman at West Orange High School seven years ago. While Luna had health insurance, the out-of-pocket bills continued to climb and the family struggled to afford the growing costs. 

To add to the family’s struggles, Luna had recently become separated from her husband when she was diagnosed and was supporting Mayra and her sister while going for cancer treatment. 

“We were only living off the money my mom was supporting us with,” said Mayra. “If she had chemotherapy, she would go to work the next day. It was really tough.” 

After a surgery removing the cancer, Luna eventually needed another surgery to remove her left breast. Vargas said her mother is now cancer free.  

Here’s how the fundraiser works: For every CinnaPack purchased at the Livingston, Paramus and Wayne stores, Cinnabon will donate $1 to cancer research and will match the first $10,000 raised. The local fundraiser will coincide with Cinnabon’s nationwide cancer fundraiser.