Oral Cancer Walk & Fun Run Raises $25,000 for Oral Cancer Research and Awareness
Event Draws 300 Participants
PARSIPPANY, N.J. — November 16, 2018 — Oral cancer prevention and education was the theme of this year’s Oral Cancer Foundation Walk/Fun Run at the Horseshoe Lake Recreation Complex in Succasunna, NJ on Sunday, September 23, 2018. More than 300 walkers participated, and over $25,000 was raised for the Oral Cancer Foundation’s research and awareness efforts. Delta Dental of New Jersey was proud to be the top sponsor of this year’s event.
Gabrielle Carratura, an Oral Cancer Foundation Walk/Fun Run participant and volunteer, organized this year’s event in memory of her mother, Christine Carratura, who lost her life to salivary gland cancer in 2015. Prior to Gabrielle assuming organizer duties this year, the event had been held at Perona Farms for the past 10 years in memory of Andover native David Nasto.
Generating oral cancer awareness and encouraging participants to keep up with their routine screenings was the driving force (as well as her personal connection) behind Gabrielle choosing to spearhead the Walk/Fun Run. “I’m just in awe at the number of participants we had this year and am so thankful for the success of the event,” reflected Gabrielle. “It means that much more money will go towards oral cancer research and awareness to help find a cure.”
Free oral cancer screenings by local volunteer dentists and hygienists, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and raffle drawings were all part of the Walk/Fun Run’s agenda.
Dr. Gene Napoliello, chairman of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Board, was one of the dentists who volunteered to screen participants for oral cancer. “Oral cancer screenings, which only take three minutes to complete, are critical to early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer,” he said. “It was my pleasure and privilege to conduct these life-saving screenings,”
The Walk/Fun Run was made possible due to generous donations from a host of local businesses and sponsors, including Delta Dental of New Jersey, Roxbury Recreation Department, Jersey Mike’s Subs, ShopRite, Vitamix, McDonald’s and Waterpik®.
About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.7 million people through contracts with groups in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.
Gabrielle Carratura, an Oral Cancer Foundation Walk/Fun Run participant and volunteer, organized this year’s event in memory of her mother, Christine Carratura, who lost her life to salivary gland cancer in 2015. Prior to Gabrielle assuming organizer duties this year, the event had been held at Perona Farms for the past 10 years in memory of Andover native David Nasto.
Generating oral cancer awareness and encouraging participants to keep up with their routine screenings was the driving force (as well as her personal connection) behind Gabrielle choosing to spearhead the Walk/Fun Run. “I’m just in awe at the number of participants we had this year and am so thankful for the success of the event,” reflected Gabrielle. “It means that much more money will go towards oral cancer research and awareness to help find a cure.”
Free oral cancer screenings by local volunteer dentists and hygienists, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and raffle drawings were all part of the Walk/Fun Run’s agenda.
Dr. Gene Napoliello, chairman of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation Board, was one of the dentists who volunteered to screen participants for oral cancer. “Oral cancer screenings, which only take three minutes to complete, are critical to early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer,” he said. “It was my pleasure and privilege to conduct these life-saving screenings,”
The Walk/Fun Run was made possible due to generous donations from a host of local businesses and sponsors, including Delta Dental of New Jersey, Roxbury Recreation Department, Jersey Mike’s Subs, ShopRite, Vitamix, McDonald’s and Waterpik®.
About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.7 million people through contracts with groups in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.
Delta Dental of New Jersey is a part of Delta Dental Plans Association. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
