Cancer Ball to be Held at Hall's Rumson Estate

Almost everyone knows someone who has battled Cancer. In hopes of finding a cure, local Monmouth County residents have teamed up with the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research and a cure.

The Cancer Ball, which will be held June 9 at the Rumson estate of George and Lori Hall, originally started 45 years ago, when a young child was diagnosed with cancer. After watching this young child suffer through their battle, a group of local women came together with the goal to rid the world of cancer. What began as a family dinner party has now evolved into a 600-800 attendee Ball, with all proceeds going to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Currently, a total of 60 local volunteers work on 11 subcommittees to make up the entire Cancer Ball committee. Paige Benigno of Middletown, and Christine Indursky of Freehold, are both the chairs of the Cancer Ball Committee.

Benigno and Indursky were both introduced to the Committee by other involved members. Apart of the Committee for multiple years now, both chairs were originally impressed by the passion and commitment of the Committee, and have been proud to contribute to raising over half a million dollars annually for the American Cancer Society. Benigno, Indursky, and the Committee, plan every detail of their summer event and work to raise money for the American Cancer Society for an entire year.

“To actually have a Committee of 60 women that have been dedicated as long as they have, and for people to want to continuously chair committees for the ball is honestly something that continues to blow me away,” explained Indursky.

The chairwomen explained that each year, the theme-driven ball raises money through selling tickets, general donations, live auction, silent auction, and raffles. Money is also raised through sponsors. According to Indursky, some of the money is also raised from the Ball’s few corporate sponsors. However, the majority of the sponsors are local families.

With past Balls holding as many as 850 guests, the Committee expects this year’s ball to sell out. George and Lori Hall will host this year's ball at their Rumson estate on the Shrewsbury River. The theme for this year’s Ball is the Lost City of Atlantis.

Although the Ball is not until the summer, the chairs and Committee members have been busy all year getting every component of the Ball together. Benigno explained that the busiest time for the committee is two weeks before the event. Despite, the sometimes crazy schedule, Committee members continue to work together non-stop to bring this event to life each year.

“It’s a labor of love,” explained Indursky. “There have been Committee members who have been apart for 20 years and they are still chairing Committees and attending meetings.”

This year’s theme is the Lost City of Atlantis. Tickets for this year’s Cancer Ball cost $500 a person. For more information on the Cancer Ball visit www.cancerball.org.