On February 12, the Greater Nutley Cancer Foundation (GNCF) in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Recreation, held a kickoff party to raise awareness in the Nutley community of the GNCF’s mission of providing individuals and families affected by cancer with support. 

“We like to dwell on the positive side,” explained Commissioner Tucci as he elaborated on the organization’s mission. “What can we do to help? How can we support you, not only financially, but physically, psychologically? What can we do to make your life better and make your situation better?”

The Commissioner also explained that while the Township has been assisting in raising funds for cancer patients, survivors, and research since 2004, the GNCF was established in 2024 to focus even further on how Nutley can help the community. “We wanted to know, where is the money going? How many Nutley people are being helped? How much support is out there? And what else can we do as a community to help our people?” Commissioner Tucci continued, “I’m very proud to say, because of this phenomenal group, in the last two years we’ve raised $74,540. And that's because of people like you. Everybody's busy, but you take the time out of your busy schedule to be here because this is important.”

GNCF President Deidre Hollywood also spoke to the organization’s mission and accomplishments. She described some of the many amazing achievements the GNCF has had this past year including supporting a retired township employee’s family after he lost the battle to cancer, supplying funds to a Catholic school teacher taking a leave of absence while dealing with her cancer diagnosis, providing finances to a seven-year old Nutley resident who is now in remission and so many more. “We've been able to start putting together a plan to create a support group to help our community members who are affected by cancer as a survivor or a caregiver.” Hollywood continued. “We've been letting people know who we are and how we want to help and we're only getting started.”

She also reported that the organization has made over $12,000 in donations towards cancer research in addition to all their work with the Nutley community. 

Dr. Claire Carter of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) was also in attendance and described to the crowd how their donation could make a difference with her work. “The work we do in cancer research, especially pediatric cancer research, is one hundred percent funded by donations like this. So I can't emphasize enough how important a contribution is, big or small,” she explained. “Most of my lab comes from donations like this… that build up into large sums of money…that enable us to get up and go to work every day.”

She also spoke of her admiration for the Township of Nutley itself. “This is one of the most heartwarming events I think I've attended in a while. I'm actually getting emotional because of the community and support here, you just don't see every day.” The GNCF presented Dr. Carter with a $6,500 check to go directly towards her research for finding a cure for pediatric cancer.

The Kickoff Party is the first of many events leading up to the Festival of Hope, the foundation’s signature event and an outdoor festival featuring food, games and fundraising activities and contests. The third annual event will be held May 8 and the GNCF will be fundraising for cancer research and community support leading up to the festival.

“Please keep up the good work,” Commissioner Tucci called to the audience. “Let's try and raise more than $74,500 this year so we can continue this fight against cancer and kill this miserable disease.”