Innumerable worthwhile organizations exist to help those with cancer, but one in particular — Stomp the Monster — hits home in more ways than one.
Conceived by Seth Grumet, a Marlboro resident diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2010, the organization helps people dealing with cancer to get through their everyday battles by providing such things as rides to doctors’ offices, childcare, groceries, money for gas or bills.
“It’s a very grassroots kind of support,” said Susan Mark, a close friend of Grumet. “It’s really practical help for people that need it.”
Grumet has been fortunate to have the support of his wife and children, along with relatives in the Edison area, during his ongoing battle with cancer. However, he noticed during treatment that others didn’t have that support, and he wanted to do something to help.
Stomp the Monster was born.
An upcoming Super Stomp weekend at The Club at Woodbridge Health & Fitness Center aligns itself well with Grumet, a triathlete who achieved Ironman status by completing a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run in less than 17 hours. The event involves two days of “fitness, fun and fundraising.”
On Saturday, Jan. 26, the event kicks off with a day for club members and their guests from 8 to 11 a.m.
All are welcome on Sunday, Jan. 27, when activities run 1 to 4 p.m.
“This is going to be more than for people who are doing ‘gym’ things,” said Teresa McKernan, assistant fitness director at the club and a friend of Grumet.
The Jan. 27 event includes spin classes from 1-2 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Yoga will be 1-2 p.m., and Zumba 2:30-3:30 p.m. All classes are $15 and participants must be 13 or older. A Walleyball tournament, or volleyball played on a racquetball court, will be played with teams of four at $40 per team.
Kids can get in on the action, too. The gym’s Kids Sport playground will be open 1- 3 p.m., and open pool hour will run 2-3 p.m.
Entertainment will be provided by oneman band Marty McKernan, who plays guitar, bass, harmonica and tambourine, all while singing numbers and inviting audiences to join in.
Refreshments will be provided. Attendees are also welcome to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with the entertainment, Teresa said.
Those who attend can enter to win a 50/50 raffle, along with prizes donated by local vendors.
The entertainment and refreshments are free to all those who register for a class. For others, a minimum $10 donation is required. On both days, people will have the opportunity to get swabbed to register as a bone marrow donor.
“Registering … is really easy. The commitment you’re making is a huge one,” Mark said, adding, “The greatest success [Seth] has had in his treatment was receiving a bone-marrow donation.”
Teresa said the event is important to her because Seth is a friend.
“It just hits home because I know him personally,” she said. “If you think about it, everyone you know has someone in their life who has had cancer.”
To register for classes or for more information, call 732-634-5000 or email [email protected]. For more information about Stomp the Monster, visit http://stompthemonster.org.