By: Katrina Lewin
WalkNJ, held at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, is more than just a walk in the park. Participants walk up to five miles in support of friends, family and loved ones with cancer.
The annual walk, which will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28, benefits CancerCare, a national organization that provides free counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help to anyone touched by cancer, including patients, survivors, family members and those who have lost loved ones. Last year, the charity helped more than 11,000 people in New Jersey alone.
"It’s a great organization," said John Maret, co-chair of the event. "It helps fill a niche in our community that may not be served by the medical (field)."
Mr. Maret, a resident Hightstown, has been co-chair of the walk for two years, along with Lawrenceville resident Michelle Everman.He is also co-chair of the fundraising committee for the CancerCare’s Mercer County board.
"Cancer touches a lot of people," Mr. Maret said. He said the walk is a good way for them to support their loved ones and help those in need. As they walk, many wear signs identifying their reason for joining in, whether in memory of a family member or because they are a survivor themselves.
Last year, close to 300 people participated in the walk. This year, Mr. Maret said, they are hoping to increase the number of walkers, as well as the funds raised.
Walkers can sign up at any time, either on the Web site or in person, through the day of the event. No walker will be turned away regardless of the money they’ve raised, but there are prizes, from t-shirts to tote bags, awarded to those who are able to raise the most.
Unlike most walks, which are held on the weekends, WalkNJ will be held on a Thursday night. With all the other events that will be held at this time of year, holding the event in the evening "adds a little difference to the walk," Mr. Maret said.
An evening walk may be better for some schedules, too, as walkers don’t have to donate an entire day to the event. He said he has "never gotten a complaint" that an interested person couldn’t make the walk because of the time. After all, he pointed out, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to leave work early and help people at the same time?
The 2005 walk raised a little over $47,000. "This year," he says, "we’re hoping to top 50 (thousand)."
The success of the event, Mr. Maret said, "really comes down to the efforts of volunteers," who set up events, raise funds, and find sponsors. WalkNJ "rides on the back of motivated people" who donate their time and effort to the cause and could not be done without them.
Mr. Maret became involved with CancerCare seven years ago, after a colleague from another charity began working with them.
Though he donates lots of time and hard work to the cause in addition to his full-time job as senior loan consultant at Washington Mutual, he enjoys what he does. "No matter what kind of day it’s been," he said, "I always feel like I’ve done something good."
CancerCare’s WalkNJ will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28 in Mercer County Park, West Windsor. Registration opens at 4:30 p.m. and walking begins at 5:30. For more information, visit www.walknj.org.

