Courtesy photo
Movers, Shakers, Change Makers
SP-F Public Schools
Student Movement Against Cancer (SMAC), Inc., established in 2001 by students of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, raised nearly $6,000 for the nonprofit organization Inspiring Life Together (ILT) during its second annual “Movers, Shakers, Change Makers” held in the spring.
With movement at its core, “Movers, Shakers, Change Makers” invited current students from across the SMAC network to be swept up by fun, physical activities that kept them moving throughout the afternoon and evening. Building off the success of last year’s inaugural event at Union Catholic High School, SMAC was able to double its impact in 2024 by hosting two simultaneous events at two different schools. The 2024 event at Union Catholic High School featured facilitated fitness experiences, friendly games and tournaments, and a chance for student leaders to meet and mingle. Students from three area high schools made the trip to Scotch Plains for the day’s festivities.
Professional fitness instructors from across Union County volunteered their time and talent to offer custom sessions for attendeesMembers of SMAC’s Board of Directors and representatives from Inspiring Life Together were also in attendance to support the cause and its student organizers.
New to the event this year, “Movers, Shakers, Change Makers” placed special emphasis on cancer education and awareness. A representative from ScreenNJ – an initiative backed by the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Health – was on hand to share resources and materials related to cancer screening and prevention. Event goers were also encouraged to take home cancer education information supplied by MD Anderson Cancer Center and Inspiring Life Together.
SMAC student leaders selected Inspiring Life Together as the event’s beneficiary due to its local impact. ILT is a New Jersey-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting mothers experiencing a breast cancer diagnosis. The funds raised by “Movers, Shakers, Change Makers” will support ILT’s Sustainable Lifestyles Program, an initiative offering ILT mothers post-treatment experiences designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. Services include gym membership, personal training, health coaching, therapeutic spa treatment, attendance at ILT social events, youth activities, and personalized services that align with ILT’s mission.
SMAC, Inspiring Life Together, and “Movers, Shakers, Change Makers” garnered the attention of local businesses who showed an outpouring of support. “Once again, our neighbors and local businesses rallied behind our SMAC students,” shared Danielle Delavaux, SMAC Executive Director. “We are so grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and in-kind donors, and it was only with their help that our students were able to reach their fundraising goal.”
For more information about the event and ways to get involved in SMAC, please visit supportsmac.org/events or contact SMAC Executive Director Danielle Delavaux at danielle@supportsmac.org.
About Student Movement Against Cancer
Student Movement Against Cancer (SMAC), Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of cancer fighters. Created in 2001, SMAC began when a small group of friends at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School banded together to help their friend, Rob Mattar, as he battled cancer. Since then, SMAC has become a network of student-led chapters around New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana who raise funds for cancer causes, launch awareness campaigns, and support their communities. SMAC has raised over two million dollars for cancer causes since its founding.
