MORRIS COUNTY — Jefferson Township firefighters, wearing black “We Fight Together” shirts, were among the thousands of walkers, survivors, families and corporate teams who turned out on Sunday, October 25, as Parsippany was once again awash in pink for the 30th Annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Parsippany walk at the Century Office Campus, 4 Century Drive. The noncompetitive walk stepped off at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine, raising funds for breast cancer research, education and patient support.
As of Monday, October 26, $330,195 had been raised toward this year’s campaign goal of $550,000, about 60 percent of the target. Donations are still being accepted by clicking here.
Top Teams Step Up
The Fighting Champions led all teams this year, raising more than $23,000, up from their second-place finish last year. The top ten teams were:
- The Fighting Champions — $23,156
- Hanna’s Bananas Powered by Toyota — $12,401
- LEXUS EASTERN DRIVES FOR A CURE — $12,187
- The Pink Striders — $10,258
- Summit Financial — $8,182
- Jen’s Amazing Warriors! — $8,087
- Rising to the Challenge — $7,222
- Team Hope — $7,062
- Connell Foley LLP — $6,907
- Garrity Gals — $6,145
Students also turned out in force. The Parsippany Hills High School Cheerleaders, led by Penny Gigante, fielded an 11-member team and raised $500 for the cause.
Top Individual Fundraisers Recognized
The following individuals were recognized for their leadership and generosity:
- Fran Saliter — Gold Pacesetter: $16,912
- Sylvia G. Samaniego — Gold Pacesetter: $10,258
- Joan Van Soest — Bronze Pacesetter: $7,056
- Emily Gencarelli Cooper — Bronze Pacesetter: $7,012
- Michael R. Szmidt — Bronze Pacesetter: $6,440
- Susan Donaldson — Bronze Pacesetter: $6,243
- Dayana Peck — Pacesetter: $4,096
- Alta For the Cure — Pacesetter: $4,091
- Briana O’Handley — Pacesetter: $3,906
- Rikin Patel — Pacesetter: $3,887
Corporate Teams Make an Impact
Local and regional companies contributed significantly to the fundraising total, showcasing corporate responsibility and community commitment:
- Toyota Motor North America — $12,401
- Lexus Eastern Area — $12,187
- Atlantic Health — $8,467
- Langan — $5,802
- Marotta — $4,087
- Cintas Corporation — $3,483
- Wyndham Hotels and Resorts — $2,464
- Gilead Parsippany — $1,664
- Yoga Six — $1,521
- Bausch Health — $1,493
This year’s walk was supported by Atlantic Health, BASF, Lexus, Toyota, Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, Tilcon, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Gilead, Wegmans, Oncology and Hematology Specialists, Marotta, NJM Insurance Group, Spiro Plastic Surgery, GAF, Delta Dental, Princeton Radiology, Alliance Orthopedics, Zelis, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health, Rutgers Cancer Institute, Penske, Herr’s, Bausch Health and Parsippany Focus.
The event is organized locally by Melissa Gargantiel, Senior Development Manager for the American Cancer Society. With donations continuing to come in, organizers expect the total to keep climbing in the coming weeks as the community works toward the $550,000 goal. Last year’s walk raised $377,936 by event day toward a $535,000 goal.
Making Strides is the nation’s largest movement to end breast cancer as we know it. Funds raised help the American Cancer Society save more lives from breast cancer by funding innovative research, promoting education and risk reduction, and providing comprehensive support to patients who need it most.
For more information, contact Melissa Gargantiel at (800) 227-2345 or [email protected].
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