Guests of the American Cancer Society’s Night of Hope are shown at the 2019 gala, the last before COVID.
Moorestown resident Anne Klein became involved with the American Cancer Society (ACS) more than 20 years ago – after her son Ben raised money to help cure cancer.
“My aunt passed away from lung cancer, and he didn’t understand why you couldn’t just give her a pill,” Klein recalled.
Upon hearing about Ben’s fundraising efforts – such as selling his toys and books at school – the late Robert Kugler, a former member of the cancer society board, nominated the 8-year-old for the ACS New Jersey Youth Advocate Award, which Ben won.
“That’s what got me involved with the board and that’s what got me so passionate about it,” Klein said.
The ACS will honor Kugler with the first award in his name at its Night of Hope gala on Friday, May 3 at the Community House of Moorestown. The award will go to an individual or organization who exemplifies the characteristics of Kugler, including leadership, philanthropy, compassion for others and devotion to the mission of the ACS, and who has dedicated time and talent to the ACS mission of improving the lives of people with cancer.
Danielle Massi, a cervical cancer survivor, will receive the gala’s Survivor Hero Award. Massi is a master shadow-work practitioner – a therapist who focuses on the parts of the psyche that people often keep hidden – as well as a bestselling author; international keynote speaker; SELF(ISH)philly Conference founder; and co-founder of Modrn Wellness, a holistic healing center in Philadelphia.
As a cancer survivor, Massi has worked to increase awareness and funding to the ACS through the ResearcHERS Program and the “I Love You, Get Screened” campaign.
Night of Hope, presented by Freedom Mortgage, benefits ACS’ mission to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and patient support. For more than 100 years, the ACS has been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research and patient support.
The ACS has helped develop nearly every major cancer breakthrough since 1946. It has invested more than $5 billion in cancer research, making it the largest nonprofit funder of that research in the U.S. outside of the federal government.
“It’s just amazing to see everyone come together and spend all this time, if not money, at least time, if not time than at least money, or a combination of both, to try to eradicate cancer,” Klein explained of the gala.
“We make sure it’s just a fabulous evening, one way or another.”
To attend the event or make a donation, visit www.newjerseyhope.acsgala.org.
