The City of Jersey City, Mayor Steven Fulop, the Municipal Council Members and the Office of Cultural Affairs are proud to honor Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc. as we recognize the 3rd Annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Month during the Flag Raising Ceremony and its night ceremony for the 4th Annual Light It Up Gold on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
In 2008, Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc. began this community project in an effort to support athletes and families associated with the Jersey City Softball, Baseball, and Little Leagues faced with financial hardship while battling Cancer. They started this journey to help Maribel Rodriguez, who has long been associated with the Jersey City softball leagues from an early age as a cheerleader, the daughter of a team manager/softball player, and now the wife of a softball player. Her family experienced financial hardship due to the many dynamics that come into play when facing this horrible disease. What was meant to be a one-day softball tournament fundraiser event in her honor, has turned into a locally well-known annual softball tournament.
To date, Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc. has provided financial assistance to 40 individuals and their families. The non-profit organization has committed themselves to a simple yet very important mission, and that is to help families in financial hardship due to a cancer illness. Their fundraisers encompass annual softball tournament fundraisers, donations, sponsorship, as well as other community held fundraisers organized by us or by other groups willing to donate. All money raised helps pay monthly rents, utilities, and/or the medical bills of recipients chosen by our board members yearly through an application process. Their goal is to pay rent and utilities up to at least a year for these families in need.
Every year, more than 15,000 children and adolescents under the age of 19 are diagnosed with cancer. In the last half century, the life expectancy of children and adolescents with Cancer has greatly increased, with approximately 85% now living for at least five years after being diagnosed. We honor more than 400,000 survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers not only in New Jersey but across the United States. We also express our sincerest gratitude to those who work tirelessly to ensure that all children can live a long and healthy life. This momentous event, of flag raising and Light It Up Gold ceremonies, reflects our shared empathy with the families of children of cancer, our enduring love to our children and to preserve the memories of children of cancer that have left too early in life.
Attendees from Left to Right :
Councilman-At-Large Rolando Lavarro Jr., Jersey City Municipal Council
Councilman James Solomon, Ward E of Jersey City
Jeanette Fernandez, Founder and Treasurer of Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc.
Jonathan Detres, Bagpiper in Jersey City
Sharon Romano, Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc. Member
Angel “Cholo” Zayes, Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc. Member
Alby Acevedo, Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc. Member
German Fernandez – Founder and President of Copa Maribel Cancer Events, Inc.
To watch the flag raising on YouTube, please CLICK HERE
