Local artisans and food vendors will congregate on May 17, 2014 for the first neighborhood fair, called “the ‘burb,” hosted by the CANswer project, a New Jersey based foundation dedicated to finding answers to prevent cancer.  The festival will be held at St. Theresa’s parking lot in Kenilworth, NJ.

 

“When my mother passed away in June 2013, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of compassion and kindness from our neighboring towns…and so the idea of  ‘the ‘burb’ was born.  The festival provides a platform to showcase our wonderful communities, allows local patrons to rediscover their neighborhoods, and promotes local businesses while banding together to raise money for cancer prevention research.”  The all-day event will feature over 40 local vendors, including restaurants, boutiques, and salons from the local communities.  Live music will also be playing throughout the event, as well as free kid’s entertainment, bounce houses and more.  There will be a 21+ section open till 10pm.  The CANswer project will be distributed all proceeds to its three beneficiaries, dedicated to cancer prevention research.

 

With plans underway for their biggest event yet, the CANswer project hopes to attract people from all over the Union County area who aren’t only looking for answers, but are looking for a fun time.  “I have been to more cancer-centric charity events than I’d like to remember.  Our mission at the CANswer project is to host family-centric FUNraisers that celebrates what we so vehemently are trying to protect; LIFE” says Stefania Colosimo, founder and chairwoman of the CANswer project. 

 

“The success of this year’s event will set the precedent for future events.  It’s time to start refocusing our efforts on preventing the disease.  We want to raise awareness.  We want to make a difference.  And if we could even prevent one family from going through the agony my family went through this year, it will all be worth it” says Colosimo.

 

Tickets are $8 for adults and $2 for children and seniors. Discounted adult tickets are available for $5 if attendees show that they “liked” the CANswer project on Facebook and checked-in to the event.  The first 500 attendees will receive an amazing tote bag giveaway.

 

The CANswer project was founded in 2012 after Stefania’s mother, Carmela Colosimo, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Although she saw the top oncologists in the US, she died without knowing why she got the disease, how she could have prevented or detected it in its early stages.  The only answer she received was that it was a case of “bad luck.”  The CANswer project seeks to fund cancer prevention research through three beneficiaries, to which all donations are dispersed.  

For more information, visit

www.thecanswerproject.org,

www.facebook.com/Thecanswerproject, or www.twitter.com/canswerproject.