Robbinsville Public Schools, in partnership with Capital City Cancer Classic New Jersey (CCCCNJ), hosted its third annual Capital City Cancer Classic Basketball Showcase, raising more than $1,600 to fight cancer and provide scholarships for local seniors.
The Feb. 1 event at Robbinsville High School showcased a series of local high school basketball matchups, featuring Ewing Girls Basketball vs. Northern Burlington, Ewing Boys Basketball vs. Pennsbury High School, and Robbinsville Boys Basketball vs. Lawrence.
CCCCNJ is a nonprofit founded to educate communities on cancer-related topics and raise money to help fund cancer research. All funds from the Basketball Showcase went towards fundraising for cancer treatment centers, providing scholarships to high school seniors pursuing higher education and supporting local families coping with cancer.
Representatives of Penn Medicine’s Pearlman Center were also there to provide valuable information on colorectal cancer awareness and the critical importance of early screenings. Halftime at each game saw the CCCCNJ honoring cancer survivors and their families, celebrating their strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
“It’s such a pleasure to see this event grow year after year,” said Matt Dalessio, athletic director for the Robbinsville Public Schools. “This is the first time we’ve ever hosted more than one game for the Classic; we were able to raise more money than ever before for such an amazing cause.”
Dalessio said the event “fell into his lap” three years ago when the CCCCNJ was actively looking for a host, and since then, it has grown into an annual Robbinsville tradition.
A substantial portion of the funds raised, $800, came from the Robbinsville High School Student Executive Council, who organized a week-long collection during lunch periods leading up to the event. The rest of the donations were made at the event.
CCCCNJ is spearheaded by Joe and his wife, Dr. Sherri Richardson. Joe is a two-time cancer survivor, beating Stage I Prostate Cancer in 2011 and Stage IV Double-Hit Lymphoma in 2015. Dalessio, a cancer survivor himself, is grateful for both the support of the Richardsons and the enthusiasm of Robbinsville Schools students.
“Joe and Sherry are just great people,” he said. “Their passion for this cause is infectious, and you see that reflected in the way our students rally to raise money to fight cancer every year.”
“I was pleased to see such great support for this special event,” Robbinsville Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Pizzo said. “The efforts of the CCCCNJ, Mr. Dalessio and the entire Robbinsville Public Schools community continue to unite us in the fight against cancer and remind us of the impact we can make when we come together to support a noble cause.”
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