Race is on to help families facing childhood cancer
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

MONROE — Area residents are invited to get out their walking or running shoes and spend time in Thompson Park for a good cause Sept. 26.

The third annual Friends and Neighbors in Action (FNA) 5K Race and Fun Walk, organized by FNA and sponsored by the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME) will benefit children and families dealing with childhood cancers. Namely, proceeds from the event will go to the Daniel Patrick Ryan Foundation, the Embrace Kids Foundation and FNA's Family Assistance Program.

Jeff Hennessy, a former Monroe resident now living in Millstone, has been planning the event in his capacity as president of FNA. He and his wife Jill, who is vice president, founded the organization in 2007. This will be its third race for charity.

The couple always wanted to do something charitable and to focus on people in the local community. The first year, the 5K Race raised $20,000 to benefit cystic fibrosis (CF). Hennessy said a child at the Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood, where two of his four children attend school, had CF. The second 5K Race raised approximately the same amount of money for pediatric diabetes.

This year, even though the economy is down, Hennessy expects that about $25,000 will be raised to fight childhood cancer. He said that one of the FINA board members, Jim Gregory, suggested this year's fundraiser after one of his relatives passed away from a children's cancer.

In the spring, a golf outing will be held at the Peddie School, Hightstown, which his other two children attend, to raise money for CF. He added that FINA also has a family assistance program, which can give money directly to local families in need. Last year, the program helped a young girl receive an insulin pump.

"We're always looking for families that need direct assistance," he said.

The 5K Race and Fun Walk will begin with registration at 9 a.m. The 5K course will take runners through the park, while the fun walk is approximately a 1-mile loop near the lake area. An awards ceremony for top finishers in the 5K Race will take place immediately following the run. Online and printable registration forms and additional race information, including a course map, are available at www.FNA5K.com. The 5K course is USA Track and Field-certified and sanctioned.

Individuals or corporations who wish to sponsor the event will find more information about sponsorship levels at www.FNA5K. com or by contacting Marcy Blaylock at 609- 371-1137 or support@FNA5K.com.

Anyone wishing to serve as a race-day volunteer may sign up at www.FNA5K.com or by contacting Blaylock at 609-371-1137. The race will be held rain or shine.