March 2021
BSA in Lawrence and Beyond Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
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March 2021
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Lawrence Neighbors
The month of March is a cause for celebration: Saint Patrick’s Day, National Read Across America Day, and one of the most important – Women’s History Month. Our cover story this month is one that certainly explores that inclusivity that Women’s History Month stands for. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an organization that teaches children the values of moral and ethics. Not only do they practice inclusivity, the BSA embodies the true meaning of doing what’s right. We can all benefit from being reminded of this idea; The importance of living a life full of honor and justice. That is who the BSA is, and they continue to lead children and adolescents on the right path. This month’s feature is not only about ethics, but about unity. The BSA started including girls in their troops, which allows mothers like Kristi Reading to get involved with both their sons and their daughters. Kristi believes getting involved with the BSA was a blessing for her and her kids, which you will read about in the story. When we think of Boy Scouts, we think of it as only a program for boys – but learning values, ethics, and helpful skills are things young people of all genders may benefit from. Honesty, integrity, and kindness make a better world for everyone. I hope you enjoy the story of BSA and think about what values are important to you. We also want to take this opportunity to recognize Jodi Viaud, of Knox Grove Financial and Expert Contributor to this publication, who has built a strong reputation by helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed decisions about their financial future. She is a natural born leader – we applaud Jodi and all local female business owners this Women’s History Month. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
It was so interesting to dive into the history of Boy Scouts of America this month and to learn about not only its origins but the ways the organization has changed and progressed over the years. As Rachel suggests, it is rather fitting to take a look at BSA’s history during Women’s History Month. March is also Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, and I would like to recognize and thank Jen Moog, a strong and empowered woman, for sharing her experience with this disease with us this issue. I hope you learn a thing or two from this month’s stories; I definitely did! Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
Local businesses need you more than ever. PLEASE SHOP LOCAL. Our advertisers bring you this publication. Please tell them you saw their ad in Lawrence Neighbors.
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Educational Spotlight
Welcome to the New Faces of Ben Franklin Elementary School Column by Dr. Jonathan Dauber | Board Member, Lawrence Township Board of Education The thoughts/opinions presented here are Dr. Dauber's and do not necessarily reflect that of the Lawrence Board of Education. "Celebrating education in Lawrence with insight and inspiration; connecting readers to our students, schools and educational community." in New Jersey. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a master’s degree from Montclair State University. Brittney enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing with friends.
DOORS I SIDING I WINDOWS I BLINDS
Hillary Hargraves-Dix, Kindergarten - Ms. Hargraves-Dix is a graduate of Lawrence Township Public Schools who now lives in Lambertville. She is a graduate of Penn State University. Hillary loves going to the beach, yoga, shopping, and reading.
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 882-6709 www.lawrencevillehomeimp.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1952 LIC#13VH00230500
Being a new teacher in a school is never easy. Even more challenging is being a new teacher in a school in the middle of a global pandemic. We know how important relationship building between students, staff and families is, so after talking with Ben Franklin Elementary School Principal, Mr. Jay Billy, we thought it would be a good idea to let the community know a little bit about the new teachers that have joined his team this year.
Lose more than just weight. Lose your sleep apnea.
Joelle Atkinson, Occupational Therapist - Joelle grew up in South Jersey. She completed her undergraduate work at Elizabethtown College and earned a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Heart University. Joelle is recently married and just finished her Yoga Instructor’s Certification. She and her husband enjoy working out, cooking, and watching movies.
The Center for Weight Loss at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, instead of emphasizing short-term goals like reducing the size of your waist, we focus on long-term benefits like reducing your risk of diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. Beginning with a nurse navigator, every aspect of the program, including bariatric surgery, will be clearly presented so you can make the right choice. Attend one of our information sessions to learn more — call 609-584-5900 for details.
Nick Brackett, Second Grade Teacher - Nick is also a graduate of the Lawrence school system. He lives in Ewing and graduated from TCNJ in 2018. Nick has previously taught in Hamilton and worked at Special Olympics NJ as a trainer. Nick enjoys coaching basketball and other sports while connecting with his friends and colleagues. Stacy Donohue, First Grade Teacher - Stacy and her family live in Lawrenceville and both of her children attend Ben Franklin. Stacy grew up in Avalon, New Jersey. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Widener University and a master’s degree from St. Joseph’s University in elementary education and special education. Stacy enjoys going to the beach with her family, traveling, baking, and spending time with her family.
rwjbh.org/weightloss * Results are not guaranteed and may vary by individual
We’ve taken every precaution to keep you safe. So if you’ve put off bariatric care due to COVID-19, please don’t delay it any longer.
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March 2021
Brittney Earle, Special Education Teacher - Brittney, who lives in Florence, N.J., previously taught in Orange Public Schools
Lawrence Neighbors
Ellen Maniloff, Behavior Specialist - Ellen lives in Medford, N.J. after growing up in Philadelphia. She has a grown daughter who is a speech therapist. Ellen received a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a master’s degree from Temple University. Ellen loves to walk, read, do yoga and garden. Kimberly Menchu, First Grade Teacher - Kim and her family (along with two dogs, a rabbit and 15 hens) live in Lawrenceville. Her two daughters attend Eldridge Park and LIS. Her husband is from Guatemala and is bilingual. Kim received a master’s degree from Rider University in Reading/Language Arts after obtaining undergraduate degrees from Rutgers and Moore College of Art and Design. Kim enjoys watching movies, reading, hiking, crocheting, cooking and spending time with my family. Stephany Rumrill, Third Grade - Stephany lives in Flemington, N.J. and is a triplet. Both her brother and sister are chemists pursuing their PhDs. Stephany earned a bachelor’s degree from TCNJ and is currently finishing a master’s degree in special education. Stephany is engaged to Javier and has two kittens, Binx and Church. She loves to bake, hike and go to the beach. Stephany is also a 3rd Degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Nicole Tunnard, Speech Therapist - Nicole is a lifelong resident of Lawrence Township and actually attended Ben Franklin. Nicole attended West Chester University and received her Master’s Degree from Montclair State University. Nicole is a certified scuba diver and loves exploring reefs and shipwrecks. Peter Wilson, Third Grade Teacher - Pete lives in Ewing, where he grew up. He attended Rowan University, graduating in 2015. Pete has worked for many years at a local swim club in the summers and enjoys coaching. He is a vegetarian who also enjoys meditation and creating Dungeons and Dragons adventures.
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Recipe
ARE YOU AN
IDEAL TEAM PLAYER? Have you ever wondered what makes a person easy to work with? I’m convinced that there are three required virtues that make someone an ideal team player. The most important of those values is humility. The ultimate foundation of being a team player is a person being willing and able to put the team’s interests ahead of his or her own. Only a truly humble person can do this effectively. Most people recognize and define humility by contrasting it with arrogance, which, to an extent, is accurate. People who are boastful, proud, egotistical and over-confident are certainly not humble, and they are poison on a team. Whether we’re talking about Little League Baseball, corporate leadership or emergency response, team members with big egos tend to bring down team performance by distracting attention away from the collective goals of the team and demotivating peers who resent their excessive need for attention. But some team members who are not arrogant lack humility, even if others around them don’t see it. Many of these people are beloved for their selflessness, modesty and support for others, but can’t be described as humble because they have an inaccurate, deflated understanding of their own talents and abilities. They hurt their teams by failing to contribute at the level that they could. But that’s not as bad as the people who, like them, discount their abilities, but don’t support and encourage their peers.
By Patrick Lencioni, founder and president, The Table Group
These may be the most dangerous kind of “non-humble” team players. The second virtue that is required of an ideal team player is hunger, the desire to work hard, make a difference and get things done. It’s not hard to understand why being hungry makes someone an asset on a team; a complacent person rarely makes a team great. However, hunger alone is not a good thing for a team, as it can be directed toward the benefits of the individual more than the team. Only when a person’s drive is applied to benefits of the greater good does hunger become a team asset. The third and final virtue of an ideal team player is something I call smarts. It has nothing to do with intelligence, however, but is all about social awareness and interpersonal common sense. Ideal team players, in addition to being humble and hungry, know how to understand their colleagues and work with them effectively. They can read a room and understand non-verbal cues, avoiding unnecessary problems that socially awkward people often create. Now, you may be asking, is an ideal team player perfect? Of course not. Even the best team player is going to have a tough day or week or moment from time to time, but those that work to develop their humility, hunger and people smarts will have a serious advantage on teams and in life. Other Resources: Pat’s Ted Talk on becoming an ideal team player: www.ted.com/talks/patrick_lencioni_are_you_an_ideal_team_ player The Ideal Team Player Self-Assessment: www.tablegroup.com/books/ideal-team-player/selfassessment/ Patrick Lencioni was named in Fortune magazine as one of the “ten new gurus you should know.” His passion for organizations and teams is reflected in his writing, speaking and executive consulting. He is the author of eleven best-selling books.
Blueberry Muffins From The Mount Family Ingredients: • 4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened • 1 cup granulated sugar • 3/4 cup whole milk • 1 large egg • 1 3/4 cups flour, plus 1 Tbsp flour • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup fresh blueberries Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter fifteen 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 inch muffin cups. 2. Cream the butter with the sugar in a large bowl until well blended. Pour in the milk, add the egg, and beat until smooth.
3. Sift the 1 3/4 cups flour with the baking powder and salt onto a piece of parchment. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just moistened. 4. Toss the blueberries with the remaining tablespoon of flour in a large bowl and fold into the batter. 5. Fill the muffin tins halfway with the batter. 6. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned on top. 7. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then run a thin knife blade around each muffin. Lift slightly on one side and tilt gently to remove from the tin. Cool briefly on a wire rack. Terhune Orchards is dedicated to providing fresh produce and food to our community. For over 45 years, Terhune has been committed to practicing high standards of quality and safety. Visit the Farm Store at 330 Cold Soil Road or online at terhuneorchards.com. Call 609-924-2310 for more information.
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TER�UNE OWN WINE Virtual Wine Tastings
March 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
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Resident Feature
1899 publication had become popular among younger readers in 1900 when Baden-Powell became a military hero for his defense of Mafeking in the South African War, so he seized the opportunity to write a manual tailored to a young audience. Before publishing the book, however, Baden-Powell took a group of 21 young men to Brownsea Island in Dorsetshire on July 25, 1907, where he and a few other instructors taught the group skills in camping, boating, observation, chivalry, and many of the other ideas found in his manuals, which marked the first Boy Scout camping trip and meeting. By the conclusion of 1908, there were 60,000 Boy Scouts in England; in 1909, the first national Boy Scouts meeting was held in the Crystal Palace in London. The Boy Scout movement in America began with a chance meeting between William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, and an anonymous member of the Boy Scouts (now known as the Unknown Scout) when Boyce was lost on a foggy street in London in 1909. The scout helped Boyce find his destination, and refused a tip from Boyce, citing that it was his duty as a Boy Scout to help others in need. This exchange inspired Boyce to organize Boy Scout troops in America, which caught on quickly and spread throughout the country. Today, the BSA has around 2.2 million members worldwide between the ages of 5 and 21, and approximately 800,000 volunteers. Starting in 2018, girls were welcomed into the Cub Scouts program. On February 1, 2019, girls were officially able to join all aspects of the BSA. This progression toward inclusivity, however, can be traced back to 1969, when the BSA allowed young women to be associate members of the Exploring and Venturing programs. Two years later, the BSA began to allow any Explorer post to accept both young women and men. The Venturing program still exists today, and is a co-ed opportunity for adolescents ages 14 to 20 to participate in special interests like kayaking, robotics, athletics—the list goes on. Kristi Reading became involved with BSA six years ago when her youngest child, Shane, was born. She and her husband Matt signed up their oldest child, Cody. “A couple weeks into it, once I started meeting all the families involved, we all became one big scouting family,” she says. Today, Kristi and Matt are both Cub Scout Assistant Den Leaders. Matt is also trained in Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO). Cody, now 11, is in Boy Scout Troop 28, middle child Kaylee, 9, is a Cub Scout of Bear rank, and Shane, in Kindergarten, is a Lion.
BSA in Lawrence and Beyond
Alex Knab, Michael Knab, Greg Chepega
T
he Boy Scouts of America (BSA), an organization whose mission is to “prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law,” has been around since 1910. The original Boy Scout movement began in England in 1908 with the publication of Robert Baden-Powell’s Scouting for Boys, a kind of field manual for young men based on Baden-Powell’s 1899 Aids to Scouting, a military field manual. The
By Catherine Bialkowski | Photos by Benoit Cortet
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March 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
Kristi has enjoyed every moment of her involvement with BSA. “I have been able to teach the scouts as their leader and watch them grow. More importantly, I have been able to spend so much time with my own children.” Kristi has seen firsthand the lessons BSA instills in young people. “The scout law teaches scouts and parents to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent; all of those are how we would want our children to be. They have learned how to be more responsible and conservative in the outdoors, and they have learned our motto: to be prepared.” Before COVID-19, the BSA troops in Lawrence were constantly going on adventures. Kristi’s Cub Scouts have camped at the Camden Aquarium, the Philadelphia Zoo, Schafer Sports Center in Ewing, and on a battleship, as well as in outdoor scouting campgrounds. Today, however, the scouts still meet via both in-person and Zoom meetings, following social distancing guidelines.
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We are dedicated to providing quality health care in a loving, spiritual and caring environment, to help every resident experience life to the fullest. In addition, we provide a support system for families and friends involved in the care of the resident. The health and safety of our residents is very important to us and we adhere to all safety procedures and guidelines as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health. We invite you to learn more about our community.
Campus shared with St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center
Morris Hall Senior Care Communities includes: • St. Joseph’s Skilled Nursing Center • Morris Hall Meadows Skilled Nursing • St. Mary’s Assisted Living • Grace Garden Memory Care • New Palliative Care Unit at St. Mary’s Located in Lawrenceville, NJ For more information, please visit us at www.morrishall.org or contact us at mhadmissions@morrishall.org or 609.895.1937
Michael Knab, leader of Boy Scout Troop 28 in Lawrence, has great memories of being in Boy Scouts as a boy. “When the oldest of my three boys was six, we signed him up for Cub Scouts with Pack 28 as a Tiger Cub. The other boys followed into the Pack, where I was Cubmaster for eight years, and they all crossed over to Boy Scouts into Troop 28, where I have been Scoutmaster since 2019,” he says. “Troop 28 has been providing great scouting experiences for youth in Lawrence Township for 102 years. We were founded in 1919 at the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church, and we are the longest continuously active troop in the area. In addition to our programs for scouts, Troop 28 is committed to serving the Lawrence Township community and beyond. You’ll see us at the Township’s Memorial Day Parade and Community Day. And since 2016, Troop 28 has built the bonfire for the Lawrence Township Hogmanay celebration on New Year’s Eve.” Troop 28 former Senior Patrol Leader Gregory Chepega began scouting in first grade and joined Troop 28 in fifth grade. “The troop's meetings and activities were led by the scouts, which brought a unique feeling to the events,” he says. “There was a sense of unity between the scouts of the troop. Now as I am in eleventh grade and I get to lead, those feelings remain. Both leading and learning in scouting have been very beneficial to me. Through scouts I have had many opportunities and experiences that I will never get anywhere else and certainly never forget.”
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Alex Knab, Senior Patrol Leader, says, “The role that scouting plays is unity. Whenever you are at a scouting meeting there is always a bond there. There are many things that scouting brings: learning basic survival such as fire building, shelter, and first aid, how to keep warm in the cold weather, and putting up a tent.” Troop 27 Committee Chair Suzanne Fobare says, “Scouting is one of the most well-rounded programs out there. I think a lot of people think that all we do is camp and hike, but scouting is so much more. Scouts develop leadership skills, an understanding of citizenship, perseverance, working as a team and, through the merit badge program, are exposed to an array of activities that may stimulate an interest in a lifelong career or hobby.” In Lawrence and throughout the United States, BSA has impacted the lives of many young people and their leaders for over a century. Suzanne shares an exchange she had recently with a gentleman who had been in Troop 27 in the 60s. “He is now retired and has reflected on his scouting experience and how it helped to ‘shape me into the adult I have become.’ He went on to say that being a scout created a ‘foundation going forward...being prepared, having integrity and honor, never giving up, doing the right thing, taking a calculated risk. Scouting helps kids to find their way forward and to give them the confidence to meet future challenges head on.’ I think that says it all.”
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming March 2021 issues! Contact Rachel Donington at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
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Lawrence Neighbors
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Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are Risk Factors for Dementia By Bruce H. Stern, Esq., Stark & Stark, Attorneys at Law
Women’s History Month By Peter Bialkowski Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams–the list goes on. Women have been making history in the United States since our country was founded, but have not always been recognized for their achievements. March 2021 will mark the 34th anniversary for the celebratory month, a time when women can reflect on how far they have come in the fight for equality, and a reminder that this fight is still happening. Women, however, did not always have a whole month to celebrate. In fact, they were originally only given a single day. Back in the early 19th century, there was no recognition for women’s rights. Created by the Socialist Party, the first National Women’s Day was established on Feb. 28, 1909, just one year after the women worker strikes in New York City. In just two years, Women’s Day became extremely popular throughout Europe as well. In the United States, feminist activists took issue with history books lacking women contributions throughout history. In 1978, one group of women in southern California proposed a revision in school curriculum, which became “Women’s History Week.” The event spread around schools in the county and became a celebratory event. Essay contests, speeches, and gatherings were held to discuss women’s rights and significance in American History. Eventually, it was deemed an official week by President Jimmy Carter in March 1980. The Women’s National History Project continued to lobby for a longer cause of celebration, and were granted when Congress passed a proclamation in 1987, and Women’s History Month was born.
Now, the historic occasion has only grown stronger. Each year, a theme is established for Women’s History Month. In 2019, the theme was “Visionary Women,” highlighting those who were for peace and nonviolence. Other themes celebrated women who worked in labor, fought against discrimination, and the right to vote. 2021 will celebrate “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced.” In recent years, past U.S. Presidents recognized the significant and critical contributions women have given to the country: Amelia Earheart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean solo; Rachel Carson, a marine biologist fighting environmental issues; Ada Lovelace, a mathematician who wrote one of the first algorithms; this is just brushing the surface of women who are celebrated during this month. Organizations big and small participate in Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) is extending the 2020 theme, women’s suffrage, into this year’s theme. The Rose Parade Float is held every year in Pasadena, California to kickstart the occasion. 2021 will be the most unique Women’s History Month to date, as celebrations will have to be confined to the comfort of our homes thanks to COVID-19. With a pandemic still affecting the world’s events, the NWHA is hoping to make up for lost time in 2021 and celebrate the 100th anniversary year until August. Not unlike the battle for women recognition, a virus will not silence the impact of Women’s History Month. To get involved with the celebration, the NWHA official website has plenty of resources with local and national news.
With March being Brain Injury Awareness Month, it is important to understand the life-changing repercussions that follow suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury. Traumatic brain injuries are considered risk factors for other neurologic diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. A recently published, British Journal of Psychiatry article discusses “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Risk Factor for Dementia.” The researchers from the University College of London, UK, Division of Psychiatry, conducted a meta-analysis searching nine electronic databases up to October 25, 2019 for longitudinal studies assessing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the risk of dementia. The researchers’ selection criteria was for adults 18 and older with a similar comparison group of adults without any post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the researchers, “we included studies were a diagnosis of PTSD was based upon: (a) clinical diagnostic criteria (i.e. ICD-9 or ICD-10, DSM-III, DSM-IV or DSM-V or comparable), or (b) a validated self-report scale.” Studies that did not diagnose dementia on the basis of clinical criteria (e.g. NINCDS-ADRA) were excluded. After performing a thorough search of almost 8,000 records from various populations and countries, the researchers found that PTSD is “an important and potentially modifiable risk factor for all-caused dementia. Meta-analyses showed that the risk of being diagnosed with dementia for individuals with a diagnosis of PTSD is 1.61-1.99 times the risk for those without a PTSD diagnosis.” The researchers also conducted subgroup analyses which revealed that the “effect in the general population is larger than the effect in veterans, who have an increased risk of 111% and 61%, respectively. That is, in the general population, the risk of being diagnosed with dementia in individuals with PTSD is more than twice the risk than those with no PTSD diagnosis. In the veteran population with PTSD, however, the risk of dementia is more than 1 ½ times higher to that of veterans without PTSD.” If the smaller risk observed in veterans is because they are more likely to receive treatment for PTSD than the general population, this may indicate that PTSD-related dementia risk could be modified by intervention. A new study published in The Lancet entitled, “Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care: 2020 Report of The Lancet Commission” further establishes that traumatic brain injury is a risk factor for dementia. Back in 2017, The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care identified nine potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, including less education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, and low social contact. In 2020,
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the Alzheimer’s Disease International partnered with The Lancet Commission to once again review factors based on evidence that could potentially prevent or postpone 40% of all dementias. The 2020 Lancet Commission completed a thorough review and meta-analyses and incorporated the information into an updated 12 risk factor life-course model of dementia prevention. In addition to the nine previously mentioned risk factors, the Commission added three more with newer and convincing evidence. These factors are traumatic brain injury, excessive alcohol consumption, and air pollution. According to the study’s findings, “together the 12 modifiable risk factors account for around 40% of the worldwide dementias, which consequently could theoretically be prevented or delayed.” If you or a loved one have any questions or concerns regarding PTSD and/or a traumatic brain injury, please contact Bruce Stern and the Traumatic Brain Injury group at Stark & Stark at (609) 895-7285 or bstern@stark-stark.com.
Bruce H. Stern, Esq.
Accident & Personal Injury Group bstern@stark-stark.com 609.895.7285 Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney
Get the Compensation You Deserve from Your Traumatic Brain Injury With decades of experience in the area of head and brain injuries, nationally recognized attorney Bruce H. Stern, Esq. devotes himself to obtaining the compensation his injured clients deserve, and to providing them with personal guidance to coordinate and promote the healing process.
www.Stark-Stark.com • 1-800-53-LEGAL 993 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month By Jen Moog
advocate. If something doesn’t feel right, slow down and listen to your body. Stop delaying that doctor’s appointment, like I did. Take time for some self-care or just recharge that Fitbit or Apple Watch to make sure you get in your 10,000 steps. Make yourself a priority. Cancer has had some silver linings for me. I do not fit the profile of the typical myeloma patient, who historically had been over 65, African American and male. Sadly, this profile is changing, and, like all cancers, it does not discriminate. Because of this, I feel a responsibility to raise awareness of myeloma. In 2016, my family and I decided we had to help make a difference and became actively involved in trying to find cures for myeloma and all blood cancers. Since then, Team #gameon has raised over $200,000 for blood cancer research. In 2019, I was named the New Jersey Woman of the Year for LLS, ultimately raising over $131,000 during my 10-week campaign and was able to direct $100,000 specifically to myeloma research. We were also able to see the magic of this Lawrence community. It is cliche to say that it takes a village, but there are reasons why cliches are true. From literally the very first day I got sick until today we have been overwhelmed with love and support from our Lawrence family. I have been one of the lucky ones living with multiple myeloma. I am grateful to say I have achieved–and am maintaining–a Stringent Complete Response. But these last six years have had their ups and downs. Thankfully for me there have been new treatment options available to me when I’ve needed them but unless we continue to support research, one day those options will run out. We must find a cure.
Never heard of Multiple Myeloma? Neither had I—that was until a doctor walked into a hospital room and told me I had it. In October 2014, I was a full-time working wife to my husband Brian and mom to our three kids, Jake, Kate and Shea, at the time ages 7, 6 and 4 respectively. On a Sunday afternoon, Brian took me to the Emergency Room because I had an infection in my eye and what I thought was a cold. That cold developed into full-blown pneumonia and within 36 hours I was unconscious, on breathing and feeding tubes, received dialysis twice and had the bone marrow biopsy that would confirm the unthinkable–I had cancer at the age of 42 years old. Not only did I have cancer, but I had a rare and incurable blood cancer called multiple myeloma. One of the first things my oncologist, Dr. Roger Strair with The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, told me was that, while multiple myeloma can be highly treatable, there is no cure. According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood that develops in the plasma cells found in our bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cells that help maintain our immune systems. Myeloma can turn healthy plasma cells into malignant myeloma ones, which can eventually crowd out the healthy cells. This can result in bone damage, kidney issues, a weakened immune system as well as other complications. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) estimates each year there will be over 32,000 new cases of myeloma and
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almost 13,000 deaths. African Americans are hit particularly hard by myeloma, which is the most common blood cancer in African Americans. Today, one in five myeloma patients is African American, but by 2034, that number will increase to one in four.
Jen Moog has lived in Lawrenceville since 2006 with her husband of 16 years, Brian, and their three children Jake (13), Kate (12) and Shea (10), all of whom are students in the Lawrence Township School District. After her diagnosis with multiple myeloma in 2014, she left her 17-year career at Johnson & Johnson to focus on cancer advocacy and sharing her cancer journey. You can follow her story at www.multiplemyelomamom.wordpress.com. The statistics for all blood cancers are daunting. Every 3 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer, every 9 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer and 1.2 million people are living with, or are in remission from, a blood cancer.
In medicine, there is an expression: “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” It means that doctors are taught to look for the simplest explanations for symptoms rather than the more rare or exotic answer. Because of this and other reasons, myeloma is very commonly misdiagnosed. Many patients present with a common complaint like bone pain, which is often labeled as arthritis, a sports injury or something else. In my case, I was getting sick often and for very extended periods of time. I assumed this was because I had young children who were in school and bringing home germs. I was also told I was highly anemic, something I ignored addressing because I was “too busy.” I was young and healthy–never once had I considered the possibility that I had cancer. Thankfully, there have been a lot of advances in the management of myeloma since 2014 when I was diagnosed–and there are many innovations in the pipeline. But while the five-year survival rate for people with myeloma has steadily increased over the last decade, a reflection of all this progress, there is still no cure. March is a time to shine a spotlight on multiple myeloma. But even if you have never heard of myeloma, let this serve as a reminder to think about your own health. Be your own
March 2021
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