Cancer Concern Center Needs Runners and Sponsors for NJ Marathon at the Shore

Cancer Concern Center team is seeking runners and sponsors for the New Jersey Marathon, Half Marathon, or Half Marathon Relay on May 6.

The Cancer Concern Center is honored to have been selected as an official Bronze Charity Partner for the New Jersey Marathon at the Shore, scheduled for May 6.

The race winds its way from Monmouth Park in Oceanport to Pier Village in Long Branch.

As a Bronze Charity Partner, the Cancer Concern Center can field a team for the New Jersey Marathon at the Shore and raise funds through the event.

The Cancer Concern Center’s goal is to raise $50,000 because it will cover a full year of operational expenses for the organization.

The volunteer chairpersons of “Team Cancer Concern” are Point Pleasant resident Heather Keefe and Lisa Montalbano of Point Pleasant Beach.

Keefe serves as a public relations consultant, grant writer, and board member for the Cancer Concern Center. As the Cancer Concern Center’s office manager, Montalbano supervises all programs and fundraising.

According to Montalbano, “The Cancer Concern Center is ecstatic about being selected for the New Jersey Marathon at the Shore. This is a huge opportunity for us.

"We’re able to raise funds in an entirely different way, with runners and sponsorships. This is the largest fundraiser we’ve ever done, and it’s perfect timing for the 
15^th anniversary of the Cancer Concern Center.”

“The Cancer Concern Center provides an enormous service to local families,” Keefe continues. “I’m thrilled that the Cancer Concern Center is participating in the New Jersey Marathon at the Shore, especially because it’s a fun race for beginners.

"You don’t have to qualify, and first-timers can tackle the half marathon relay or half marathon at a reasonable pace – just under a 15-minute mile, with a mix of running and walking.”

The full marathon (26.1 miles) must be completed in 6½ hours and the half marathon (13.1 miles) in 3 hours/15 minutes.

The half marathon relay is a third option, with two people running 6.7 and 6.4 miles each within the total timeframe of 3 hours/15 minutes. The events are open to all runners who can finish within the time limits.

The course is USAT&T certified and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The half marathon is a 13.1-mile loop through Oceanport, Monmouth Beach, and Long Branch.

The full marathon is a one-loop course that also includes Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, Asbury Park, and Ocean Grove. The course has no significant hills, is virtually flat, and draws more than 12,000 runners of all abilities.

Runners who commit to “Team Cancer Concern” agree to raise $1,000 for the organization. Every dollar remains with the Cancer Concern Center because the New Jersey Marathon does not take a percentage.

In order to reach its $50,000 goal, the Cancer Concern Center also seeks Business Sponsorships. Donations of at least $500 will be recognized on the team’s running shirts and at the Health and Fitness Expo that takes place on marathon weekend (May 4-5 at Monmouth Park).

Every runner attends the Health and Fitness Expo, which offers several marketing opportunities for Charity Partners and Sponsors.

For more information about “Team Cancer Concern Center,” please contact Lisa Montalbano at the Cancer Concern Center (732-701-0250 or lbano@comcast.net) and visit the Cancer Concern Center’s Facebook page.

The mission of the Cancer Concern Center is to provide emotional support and wellness programs to women and men affected by cancer.

The Cancer Concern Center was the first non-profit to offer support services to adults with cancer in Northern Ocean County.

It is a member of the Ocean Medical Center’s Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. All contributions to the Cancer Concern Center are tax-deductible and utilized for local cancer support programs.

The Cancer Concern Center was founded in 1998 by two breast cancer survivors – Lori Jeffries of Brick and Jill McDonough of Lavallette – who had met at a cancer retreat and wanted to establish a permanent place for healing and support.

They envisioned a welcoming home that didn’t feel like a hospital – a convenient place for women and men with cancer to discuss their condition, access resources, and receive non-judgmental support.

Located at 1101 Richmond Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach, the Cancer Concern Center is not affiliated with any national organizations.

The center maintains minimal overhead and is run by volunteers. Every donation is utilized for support groups, nutritional counseling, massage, meditation, Reiki, yoga, and new wigs.

The Cancer Concern Center’s focus is adults with cancer who live in Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant, Bay Head, Brick, and Southern Monmouth County.

Programs are open to local cancer survivors regardless of their ability to pay. The Cancer Concern Center imposes no mandatory fees.

As such, fundraising is critical for the Cancer Concern Center to continue operating.