THANK YOU to our friends, family, supporters and most of all, BREAST CANCER THRIVERS!
We are inspired by your courage, positivity and support of others!
#Grateful
From Flag Raising to Fundraising, Minette’s Angels Launches the Fall Season with Breast Health and Awareness Events
Pink ribbons may be synonymous with October, but Minette’s Angels Foundation champions breast health every day of the year— strengthening community connections and inspiring support from businesses, schools, student athletes, and devoted volunteers. Thanks to this collective spirit, our outreach, assistance, and empowerment programs now reach more than 80 cities and towns across New Jersey.
Teaming Up: A Win-Win For Minette’s Angels
This fall, school spirit turned pink as student athletes proudly added pink socks, laces and gear to their traditional uniforms. Volleyball teams at Verona, Cedar Grove High School, Bloomfield High School, Mount St. Dominic, and Academy of Saint Elizabeth spiked their way through ‘Dig Pink’ matches, drawing enthusiastic crowds and heartfelt support.
On the football field, teams from Verona, Cedar Grove and Glen Ridge delivered powerhouse performances—playing not only for victory but also for a worthy cause.
Verona’s Cheer Night brought cheerleaders of all ages together filling the stands with high energy and a shared commitment to raising awareness and funds for Minette’s Angels programs. Whippany Park once again hosted a full house at their Annual Cheer For A Cure event.
To complete the season, Livingston Field Hockey and North Jersey Field Hockey Association held awareness games full of comradery.
Painting The Towns Pink With Ribbons
From street signs to stately tree trunks, communities in Verona, Caldwell, Cedar Grove and Kearny once again wrapped their towns in pink. The Minette’s Angels Pink Ribbon Campaign remains one of our most beloved traditions—an eye-catching reminder of hope, strength and unity.
With Walks
The annual Real Panthers Wear Pink Walk at Cedar Grove’s Bradford Park brought survivors, thrivers, families and friends together in an uplifting lap around the track. Dynamic guest speakers set an inspirational tone creating an atmosphere of celebration and resilience.
And With Bold Style Statements!
Talented stylists at Sculptors Salon in Totowa and Stay The Salon in Madison offered pink hair extensions—turning personal style into a powerful symbol of solidarity. Every strand raised both awareness and support for Minette’s Angels.
Save the Date
May 3, 2026 at 11:00am
Minette’s Angels Annual Brunch
Learn More
Verona volleyball played Cedar Grove Thursday night in what has become an October tradition: The “Dig Pink” game for breast cancer awareness and support. Seniors Abbey Donnelly and Jessica Toriello presented Michele Kiernan and Ken McKenna of Minette’s Angels with a check from the team’s fundraising.
The Minette Grosso McKenna Angel Foundation was founded in 2004, one year after Verona resident and nurse Minette McKenna died from breast cancer. The nonprofit supports breast cancer patients and survivors, as well as research and breast health awareness, and offers scholarships to nursing students, Verona High School seniors going into a medical field, students who have been affected by breast cancer.
While the first set was a close 25-20 Verona win, the second put more daylight between the two teams. In the end, Verona took a 25-10 victory. Brynn Mack led all players with 10 kills, and Samantha Heimall was credited with 18 assists.
The preliminary round of the Essex County Tournament (ECT) for volleyball is tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, but #1 seed Verona has a bye. The first round is Wednesday, October 22, and it will be a 4 p.m. game.
Photos: Mike Perry
Written by: MyVeronaNJ Staff
Celebrating Generosity, Community and Commitment to Breast Cancer Patient Support
This year’s sold-out event at Glen Ridge Country Club welcomed more than 220 attendees including patients, survivors, medical professionals, sponsors and volunteers.
Through their generous support and fundraising efforts Minette’s Angels has expanded its outreach and impact serving more than 80 communities throughout the state of New Jersey. Ongoing initiatives and partnerships ensure that access to care, comfort and education is always within reach.
Mission in Action
AWARENESS. EDUCATION. PATIENT ASSISTANCE.
Minette’s Angels Foundation continues to strengthen its mission raising awareness, providing education and offering patient assistance. Our fundraising success led the Foundation to launch several new alliances:
- Patient transportation services to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth.
- Expanding access to life-saving screenings with Mobile Mammography Units serving University Hospital in Newark and veterans residing in Kearny and East Newark.
- Providing cryotherapy gloves and booties for patients undergoing chemotherapy at Morristown’s Carol G. Simon Cancer Center.
- Helping to provide comfort during treatments with blanket warmers for patients at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson.
Valerie Iacono
HER PERSONAL JOURNEY OF STRENGTH AND SURVIVAL
Reminding everyone in the room that “Together we are stronger than breast cancer. Our community is stronger than breast cancer,” Valerie credited the skilled care of dedicated doctors and the unwavering support of friends for helping her through what she described as the most challenging chapter of her life. She closed with a message of resilience and unity: “Being a survivor doesn’t mean someone finished fighting. The battle continues with support.” Valerie’s experience resonated deeply with the audience, reinforcing the Foundation’s mission and importance of every dollar raised.
Honoring Future Impact
AVA LAWDANSKI NAMED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
A standout student at Caldwell’s Mt. Saint Dominic Academy, Ava Lawdanski led a successful Tie a Pink Ribbon campaign and played a key role in bringing the Mammography In Motion mobile unit to her community. Ava will attend Seton Hall University where she plans to continue her advocacy while pursuing a career in healthcare.
The Grass Roots Organization with Big Support
Minette’s Angels Foundation President Ken McKenna captured the essence of the organization created to honor the legacy of his late wife Minette. The big support was on full display from those united in its shared mission.
A Season of Impact
Minette’s Angels Drive Awareness and Fundraising Across Northern New Jersey Schools and Communities
Minette’s Angels Foundation wrapped up one of its most successful fall seasons to date. This year our iconic pink presence for breast cancer awareness was seen in more New Jersey cities and towns than ever before! It was truly a season of growth with pink representing the strength, resilience, and hope of breast cancer thrivers and survivors.
A highlight this fall was the enthusiastic support from student athletes and cheerleaders. From the football and soccer fields to the volleyball courts, cross-country paths, and field hockey arenas, they sported vibrant pink socks and shoelaces and helped assemble care and comfort bags for women undergoing treatment. With every cheer, touchdown, goal, and victory lap these champions transformed their sports into a vibrant display of teamwork, compassion and determination shared with Minette’s mission.
The Cedar Grove Real Panthers Wear Pink Walk was a touching sea of pink and unyielding spirit of those who have been touched by breast cancer. This notable event is a reminder of how every step taken brings us closer to helping every breast cancer patient and their families meet the challenges with grace, dignity, comfort and kindness.
In a unique display of community support, local hair salons joined forces with Minette’s Angels to create an unforgettable experience. These talented salons created pink hair extensions for clients as a fun and vibrant way to share awareness information and show solidarity with the cause.
Through these collective efforts Minette’s Angels extends support to individuals and families and continues to build on its impact by assisting breast cancer patients across more than 65 communities in northern New Jersey, working to ensure that no one faces the challenges of breast cancer alone.
Minette’s Angels Foundation kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with several initiatives. Our very first awareness project, The Pink Ribbon campaign, has grown to include many local neighborhoods joining our mission to paint the town pink. Look for our vibrant ribbons adorning many streets, trees, and signs throughout Verona, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Kearny, and Whippany Park as reminders to their residents.
Walk With Us October 17th at Panther Park in Cedar Grove, NJ
The 10th annual “Real Panthers Wear Pink” Walk draws friends, neighbors, students, cancer patients and survivors for an informative, fun, food and special guest-filled evening October 17th from 6-8 p.m. at Panther Park Field, 118 Bradford Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Ribbons, Walks, Talks and More!
The Pink Socks and Laces project continues to draw crowds and to spotlight breast cancer awareness through widespread high school events. Watch for student athletes sporting pink-themed socks and laces during October’s specially sponsored competitions. Minette’s Angels Foundation is a proud recipient of funds raised through many Cheer nights, volleyball, and football games, promoting breast health awareness and education. Verona High School, Cedar Grove High School, Caldwell’s Mount St. Dominic Academy, Whippany Park High School, Montclair Immaculate Conception High School, Lacodaire Academy in Montclair, West Milford High School, and The Academy of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station are notable and enthusiastic supporters of the foundation.
Minette’s Angels: Providing Community Outreach, Assistance and Empowerment for Breast Cancer Fighters and Survivors
Minette’s Angels Foundation is a premier resource for information and support. Through our alliances in the medical community and dedicated volunteers, we help patients and families gain information and access to the care and support they need.
The foundation honors Minette Grosso McKenna, a Verona NJ resident and nurse who passed away in 2003 after a long battle against breast cancer.
For more info, see our event page.
More than 150 guests enjoyed a festive and informational brunch in support of Minette’s Angels Foundation on May 5, 2024. Glen Ridge Country Club provided the bucolic setting as sponsors, friends and members of the area’s distinguished medical community came together to champion the Foundation’s widespread efforts. The fundraiser brunch was both a celebration of past achievements and a call for continued action and support.
The event marks the 21st anniversary of supporting those in treatment, advancing breast cancer research, promoting awareness and providing scholarship opportunities to students entering the medical field or directly impacted by breast cancer.
Leveraging Genetic Information: The Future Of Cancer Treatment
An enlightening presentation by the esteemed guest speaker Dr. Shridar Ganesan, MD, PhD focused on the biology of cancer and the latest advances studying DNA to develop the next generation of targeted cutting-edge treatments for breast cancer.
Raising Funds And Spirits
Attendees enthusiastically participated in a silent auction and raffle ensuring that Minette’s Angels can continue its vital work offering patient assistance along with emotional and educational resources.
Minette’s Angels: Looking Forward To Our Third Decade
Minette’s Angels President and Founder Ken McKenna underscored the foundation’s impact on breast cancer survivors and their families through Acts of Kindness and Breast Cancer Advocacy. As Nelson Mandela said “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
As Minette’s Angels enters its third decade, the Foundation looks forward to organizing more events and initiatives that further its cause and honor the spirit of its namesake, Minette Grosso McKenna.
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