Cancer affects families across the world and people fight back in different ways. The Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation’s way is through a backyard frisbee game.
The event, sponsored by Ray Catena Mercedes of Union, took place at the Inman Sports Complex in Edison, N.J. on Saturday Oct. 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Darby Road provided dinner and drinks throughout the evening.
Jam Kancer in the Kan began in the backyard of Jamey Crimmins on September 20, 2014. According to their website, “their first event raised $14,296, with 24 teams participating.” Crimmins and his team continued to start many initiatives, influencing the town to now have raised over two million dollars.
“I was running in the New York City Marathon and raising money for Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. I went to a family reunion and someone brought a Kan Jam set. I played it for the first time and saw how much fun it was. A couple of days later I had the idea to have a tournament, which became the first-ever SPF Kancer Jam,” Crimmins told the Fanscotian.
Thirty two teams participated in this year’s tournament, raising $81,000 dollars and counting.
Members of the Student Movement Against Cancer club repped their gear while volunteering to set up, keeping track of the scoring, and cleaning up.
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood police department held their annual PBA Children’s Charity Golf Classic and donated all the raised money of $18,047.78 for the Kan Jam charity.
Crimmins opened up the event with a speech, showing his gratitude for everyone who came. Crimmins’ daughter, Mackenzie, performed the National Anthem before the games began.
During the games, participants Lili Davita, David Hackett, Jim Gleason and Tom St. John tossed the frisbee through the slot of the bin, impressing everyone that witnessed it.
Now came the finals, where St. John and Brian Colvin faced off against the Gleasons in a best of three series to take home a trophy. The trophy was in Fenov Pierre-Louis’s name to keep his memory alive after he lost his battle to cancer.
The Pentlickys, winners of last year’s tournament, presented the trophy to the winners: St. John and Colvin.
“Our community does a great job of raising awareness of the importance of fighting cancer. At any given time, you’ll hear about a sports team hosting a fundraiser, a school or any number of organizations or Foundations raising money for families affected by cancer,” Crimmins said.
Every dollar raised is a difference made for a family in need. Jam Kancer in the Kan has brought the community together to do amazing things and their generosity will continue to go a long way.
