First Grader Shaves Head For Friend With Cancer

A truly inspirational story that shows us what true friendship is really all about.

Middletown Arts Center Helps Summer Camper Raise $150,000 for Pediatric Cancer Research and Awareness

Middletown, N.J. (August 13, 2014) – Each summer the Middletown Arts Center (MAC) provides a creative atmosphere for hundreds of campers of all ages from across Middletown and surrounding communities. This summer four-year old Natalie Grace Gorsegner of Middletown attended camp at the MAC to prepare for school, following a two-year battle with cancer. Her courageous and philanthropic spirit has inspired an entire community to work towards raising $150,000 for childhood cancer research and awareness by her birthday on September 28, 2014.

Natalie Grace Gorsegner was diagnosed on August 16, 2012 with high-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She attended morning sessions of Art Camp at the MAC with her sister Hannah, age 7, and Miss Laurie Ruggeri. Natalie’s mom Andrea felt the MAC provided the ideal environment to take baby steps and start acclimating her to a school environment. She will be attending Kindergarten in Fall 2015.

“Natalie Grace has lost so much of her social skills and has had little desire to be around other people and kids. The energy was just too overwhelming for her,” said Andrea “The Middletown Arts Center has been wonderful, allowing us to socialize her on her own time in a loving and nurturing environment. We have bonded in an indescribable way since she was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2012, and it has been hard for me to leave her with others.”

Today, her family, mom Andrea, dad Dan, sister Hannah, and friends at the Middletown Arts Center are hoping to make her birthday wish come true by raising $150,000 for pediatric cancer research and awareness by September 28, 2014.

Donations collected at the Arts Center, and during other fundraisers that include art auctions and benefit events organized by the Gorsegner family, will support the work of the nonprofit organization, The Truth 365, a grass-roots documentary film and social media campaign that gives a voice to children fighting cancer.

“Miss Laurie has a special gift for bringing love and joy into children’s lives through art. She worked magic with all of the children in her care, but especially with Natalie and her sister. It was quite touching. The Middletown Arts Center is a magical place. ”

Donations in honor of Natalie Grace’s Birthday Wish are accepted at the Middletown Arts Center, located at 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ (next to the train station).

The Gorsegner family also invites the general public to join them for their benefit dinner at McCloone’s Pier House in Long Branch on September 4th from 6– 10 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and include dinner, open bar, valet parking, and a live performance by singer-songwriter Mikey Wax, named "Artist to Watch" by iHeart radio. Visit the Facebook page “Infinite Love for Natalie Grace” to purchase tickets.



About the Middletown Arts Center


The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility run by the nonprofit Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council and is dedicated to bringing quality arts programming and events to Middletown and surrounding communities. The MAC offers enrichment programs and entertainment for all ages and abilities. Visit www.middletownarts.org for more information. The MAC can also be found on Facebook at Middletown Arts Center and Twitter @MiddletownArts.



Sean's Venetian Crusade Fund; Help Send Sean and His Family To Italy

Sean Carhart

Sean Carhart has a very rare form of cancer that has no cure; he is also a friend of my son, Steve.

Family and friends are trying to raise funds to send Sean and his family on his "dream trip" to Venice, Italy before his condition worsens further. Last week, Sean went into surgery to remove a blockage in his intestinal tract. I am happy to report that all went well and he is recovering from this most recent operation comfortably and the hope is that he will be able to board a plane to Italy soon.

The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $20,000; they are nearly there but need more help and with the generous help of others who have not heard of Sean's plight, I'm sure that this goal can be met and surpassed before the scheduled end of the fundraiser on September 16th.

Below is the brief write-up on Sean that appears on the "Sean's Venetian Crusade Fund" webpage that tells of this young man's life and battles with this horrible disease which has not only affected him but also his family:

The game of Minecraft, sushi, his computer, learning about history, picking on his little brother Christopher and giving his Mom gray hair are some of the things 18 year old Sean Carhart enjoys.

This recent graduate of Middletown North High School is bright, quirky and kind hearted and hopes to live long enough to give his Mom a full head of gray hair. Sean’s Journey of life definitely was not a smooth one for his parents Marita Bucco and Russell Carhart. He was born in December of 1993, only two short years after the Carhart’s had suffered the loss of their infant child Victoria, from complications due to a serious Congenital Heart Defect.

It would seem unimaginable that when Sean was only two months old, the Carhart's headed in for rounds at the hospital once again. This time it was not the misfortune of a complex congenital heart defect that was causing Doctors to take a second look, but childhood cancer.

Neuroblastoma, one of the most common forms childhood cancers was Sean’s first medical hurdle in life. He received chemotherapy and radiation and sailed through the treatments during his first two years on earth. His only evidence of battling childhood cancer is his loss of hearing. 

Not quite exactly a picturesque infancy, but lucky to have been “cured” of cancer and live fourteen healthy, cancer free years until family decided he did not look “quite right”. In June 2009, Sean was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma; a cancer which normally attacks the extremities.

Sean’s condition is extremely rare and since his cancer has taken up residence in his GI tract, his treatment for the past three years has been focused on surgically removing the tumors and participating in clinical trials through the National Institute of Health (NIH), seeing how there are no known treatments for this type of cancer. An additional gift of three years to enjoy more Minecraft games, seafood and add a few more grays to his Mom’s head was granted.

Sadly, in June 2012, doctors noted significant tumor growth in Sean’s liver and lung, which now makes him ineligible to participate in the study they were in at NIH. The Carharts hope and pray there are more experimental treatments that could help slow the cancer growth, and give Sean a chance at attending his first year of college. 

Sean is presently experiencing pain and difficulty walking. Doctors encourage the family to make the most of every day. When you ask Sean what he would do if he had unlimited funds the only thing he really would love to do is take a trip to Venice, Italy.

This history lover of Italian decent is enthralled with all that Venice has to offer and would love to experience the magic of the Venetian Islands and perhaps savor some seafood and gelato along the way. With time ticking Sean depends on the timely generosity of friends, family and strangers to help make his dream a reality for him and his family
.
Please consider making Sean's dream come true by donating online or by check.
Please make your donation payable to: 

"Sean's Venetian Crusade Fund"
709 Old Farm Road
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742.

Thank you for your support.
For additional information or questions please contact:
Mariagrace Welsh
magrace426@gmail.com

Business Card Exchange on Monday supporting The Ashley Lauren Foundation

Please Join

Community Publications & Regal Pointe

for a business card exchange & panel discussion while we support The Ashley Lauren Foundation.

The Ashley Lauren Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer and their families throughout the State of New Jersey through direct financial assistance, material needs, and emotional support.

Minimum Donation: $15 per person but higher donations are welcome.

Please make checks payable to 'The Ashley Lauren Foundation'

100% of event proceeds will benefit the foundation.

Appetizers & soft drinks will be provided.

Community Publications owns and operates several Monmouth County publications including The Community Magazine (covering Colts Neck, Holmdel, Lincroft) & The Bayshore Community Messenger (covering Matawan, Aberdeen, Hazlet, Keansburg, Keyport, Atlantic Highlands, Union Beach, Highlands, Middletown). The publications reach over 44,000 homes and businesses every month.

Regal Pointe, a distinctive independent living retirement community located in Middletown, New Jersey, provides an affordable, new rental alternative to seniors who wish to live a carefree life!

6:00pm to 6:30pm: Networking

6:30pm to 7:15pm: Panel Discussion

7:15pm to 8:00pm: Networking

:::PANEL DISCUSSION:::

- Discussion on networking, joining business groups, growing your business

Moderated by Cliff Moore (Incoming President of Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, Co-Owner Community Publications)

Invited panelists:

Paul Morris, Executive Director, Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce

Lynda Rose, Executive Director, Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce

Vin Gopal, President, Hazlet Business Owners Association

Mike Moyers, President, Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce

Chuck Lero, President, Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce

Representative, Colts Neck Business Association

RSVP to Maria at mconnors@mycommunitypublications.com or 732-739-8689

Please brings lots of business cards!