CALL FOR A CURE CONCERT SET FOR JUNE 6TH

The Cranford High School performing arts community is once again coming together to raise money to fight a disease that has taken at least two young Cranford residents in the last few years.
Call for a Cure, a concert started in remembrance of Colin Maher, will be a 7:30pm Tuesday, June 6 at the Cranford High School. The concert, started by Cara Costa five years ago, will feature students and alumni from the talented Cranford community. Admission is $10 at the door; $5 for students. For advance ticket sales, email catherine@friendsofcolin.org.
The concert is unique in that the students are given the freedom to choose their own music and performance, a choice they may not have had during the school year. For many, it will be the last time they are on the CHS stage.
“It is an honor to put together this show for the community and to fight Ewings Sarcoma,” said this year’s organizer, senior Catherine Hoffman. “Please come out and support us for Colin and for those who have to face this cancer.”
All the money raised in ticket and bake sales goes to the Friends of Colin, a non-profit formed to raise money specifically to fight Ewings Sarcoma, a pediatric bone cancer that is often fatal. It is rare but not uncommon and little money is dedicated towards research. Friends of Colin has donated tens of thousands to Dr. Jeffrey Toretsky, a Georgetown University researcher who currently has developed a drug going to clinical trials.
Friends of Colin was formed after the death of Colin Maher, a dry-witted 16-year-old Cranford resident who loved Pez, Halloween, turtles and his dog Casey. His close-knit neighbors came together and vowed to continue his fight until there is an effective treatment.
CHS graduate and dancer Alessandra LoConte was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma while studying at Muhlenberg college. She passed in 2015. Also that year, 16-year-old Arthur L. Johnson student, Tylor Collins, succumbed to the sarcoma.
Friends of Colin hopes that the Cranford and Ewings Sarcoma community can come together and put an end to the finality of this disease.
Donations also can be made to Friends of Colin at 365 Retford Ave., Cranford, New Jersey 07016.