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.
Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing is pleased to announce that the 2021 Minette’s Angels Foundation Scholarship has been awarded to Stephanie Martinez, a sophomore nursing student from Parsippany, New Jersey.
Click here to read more.
On October 21st, 2021, Minette’s Angels held the Real Panthers Wear Pink Minette’s Angels Foundation Walk! 100% of all proceeds raised benefit Minette’s Angels.
In keeping with part of our mission, Minette’s Angels Foundation is proud to announce our 2021 Scholarship Recipients:
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP: Madison Nigro (Verona High School) and Kristen Brown (Verona High School)
IMPACT SCHOLARSHIP: Garret Diegnan (Columbia High School) and Sinclaire Infusino (Verona High School)
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY NURSING SCHOLARSHIP: Stephanie Martinez
Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing is pleased to announce that the 2020 Minette’s Angels Foundation Scholarship has been awarded to Elizabeth Bishop, a sophomore nursing student.
After hearing she received the award, Elizabeth said, “This scholarship is such a blessing. My younger sister will be beginning college next year, so receiving this scholarship will help alleviate some of the financial burden on my parents, which I am extremely grateful for.”
Click here to read the full announcement!
Ken McKenna, president and founder of Minette’s Angels, recently talked to CNBC about how the Foundation is continuing to help breast cancer patients despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are seeing greater need, people who are struggling, emotionally and financially,” explains McKenna. “It was a huge thing for us and put us in a position where we can still follow our mission for a while and not struggle and not have to worry about cutting back on things.”
Click here to read more!
Minette’s Angels Foundation received an Investors Foundation grant for $1,000 to continue its mission of supporting breast cancer patients and survivors.
Pictured is Ken McKenna, President and Founder of Minette’s Angels and Susanna Allegretta, Investors Savings Bank Assistant Vice President and Montclair Branch Manager.
Minette’s Angels Foundation has provided funds to the Center for Breast Health at RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center to enhance the breast health of medically underserved women by providing mammograms at no cost to said patients.
Ken McKenna, President and Founder of Minette’s Angels Foundation presents a $20,000 check to M. Michele Blackwood, MD, FACS, Medical Director at The Center for Breast Health and Disease Management at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center.
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