Local charity passes milestone
By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
SOMERSET — Tissues were passed around and people reached for napkins as Sherrie Wells spoke through the emotion coloring her voice and shared a memory of her baby son.
“If Brady were by my side right here tonight, I know he would simply hand you a Black-Eyed Susan, his favorite flower, and give you a big, big hug,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “Every day I am forced to acknowledge that I lost my son, my baby to a disease that I believe could have been prevented.”
More than 300 people came out to The Palace Saturday night for the 5th annual Hugs For Brady Foundation’s Winter Gala, titled, “For the Love of a Child.”
The Hugs for Brady Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness and funding to help children suffering from childhood cancer, according to the organization’s website.
Sherrie and Michael Wells began Hugs for Brady in 2009, shortly after their 13-month-old son Brady Michael was diagnosed with Non-Differentiated Acute Leukemia, a very rare form of cancer.
Brady passed away in 2010, after a 10-month battle with the disease.
In 2015, the Hugs for Brady Foundation hopes to provide Brady Buggy Wagons for every children’s hospital in the nation that treats cancer.
Brady Buggy Wagons are whimsical, animal-shaped wagons that include a trailer to tow IV poles and other medical monitors.
According to the foundation, they allow children to be mobile, even during chemotherapy treatments, and are crafted of child-friendly and eco-conscious components.
The cost of equipping every pediatric hospital in the country with a Brady Buggy Wagon is estimated to be $250,000, according to the organization.
Last year the foundation funded research at both the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian, aimed at developing more precise cancer treatments and reducing the number of children requiring general anesthesia for scanning procedures.
Balloons cascaded from the ceiling as Mr. Wells announced that, with the pledges from the gala, the foundation had surpassed the $1 million mark in terms of money raised to help children with cancer during the last four years.
Linda Forbes, 65, of Dayton, said that she came out to support the foundation because during her own child’s battle with cancer, she met and developed relationships with many of the pediatric cancer patients and their families.
“I felt their support right away when we met them (Sherrie and Michael Wells),” Ms. Forbes said. “It’s a very unique club that nobody wants to be a part of.”
Ms. Forbes said that she and her husband had known about the foundation and contributed monetarily before but until their adult son was diagnosed with cancer they hadn’t been touched by the cause.
Twenty-year radio veteran Bert Baron of WCTC–1450 in New Brunswick received the Hugs for Brady Foundation Ellen Gambatese Pediatric Cancer Volunteer of the Year award, which was presented by South Brunswick Township Mayor Frank Gambatese.
Mayor Gambatese said that Mr. Baron exemplified the spirit of volunteerism that his late wife Ellen had shown throughout her lifetime.
Dr. Aaron Weiss, D.O. received the Hugs for Brady Foundation Dr. Randy Siegel Pediatric Cancer Medical Humanitarian of the Year award, presented by one of Dr. Weiss’ former patients, who said that, thanks to Dr. Weiss, she is looking forward to celebrating her 16th birthday soon.
For spiritually embodying what it means to go above and beyond helping kids with cancer, Father Robert G. Lynam of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Kendall Park received the Hugs for Brady Pediatric Cancer Humanitarian of the Year award.
According to the organization, Allstate – Kendall Park; Belfor Property Restoration; B&T Landscaping; Capital Geneology; Confectionately Yours; D’Bella; Arthur Perry, MD, FACS; Mary DeCicco, DMD, FAGD; EA Berg Associates; J.McLaughlin; Johnny Volpe; Katie Denberg Photography; Kramer Portraits; Marc Rubenstein; Max of Cranford; Miele; Princeton Running Company; Sarah Sanders Photography; Somerset Patriots; State Theater; Sweets by Lovey; Catch a Rising Star and The Westin Princeton @ Forrestal Village donated to the evening’s silent auction.
This year’s Hugs for Brady sponsors include The Palace at Somerset Park, Goddard of North Brunswick, Midwood Distributors, Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ, Western Pest Services, Resnick Distributors and Olive Osmond Hearing Fund.
Friends of the Foundation include Dr. Barry Wasserman, MD, Mercedes-Benz of Princeton, Joseph and Teresa Capitani, Carolyn McCallum, Rosalie Guyette, William and Kathy Kennedy and Kellie Brockman, Brady’s aunt.
The Hugs for Brady Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, according to its website.
According to the organization, 96 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to helping children with cancer, with virtually no administrative fees.