Montclair School Raises $82K, Pulls All-Nighter for American Cancer Society

Some 369 people walked in the rain at Montclair Kimberley Academy’s Relay for Life this weekend raising $82,000 for the American Cancer Society.

MKA students were joined by students from Montclair and Glen Ridge high schools, as well as family, friends and members of the community to pull an all-nighter on the MKA middle school fields.

Relay for Life supports education, research, advocacy and patient services, and honors those whose lives have been touched by cancer.

MKA junior Kaila Fleisig organized the event which consisted of six teams: “Got Hope” led by Fleisig, “Cougars for the Cause” led by sophomore Melissa Baney, “Cougars for the Cure” led by sophomore Dylan Goldberg, “MKA Smiles” led by senior Lizzie Amato and “MKA Lacrosse” led by senior Allie Bond.  

Fleisig’s 18-member-strong team raised $22,785.18 and counting.

“Our initial goal was $10,000, then we passed it and I made it $20,000. So now our goal is $23,000, and we're 99% there!” she said.

Parent volunteer Lisa Baney emailed MKA administrators to share her impressions of the students.

“The spirit of these kids was amazing. They are fun, wholesome, resilient, caring young people. You would be very proud!” Baney wrote.

For their fundraising efforts, Fleisig's team was rewarded by the American Cancer Society with a late-night buffet of Chinese food, Baney said, which was shared with all participants.