by Elaine Durbach
NJJN Bureau Chief/Central

February 28, 2008

Sometimes, success creates its own challenges. Last year best friends Jessie Feldman and Eliann Shadmi were determined to make their school’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life so enjoyable, lots of people would get involved; this year, they’re concerned there’s so much buzz about the entertainment, participants might lose sight of the real goal — to bring in lots of moola for cancer research.

Around 300 took part last year, bringing in $42,000 — $12,000 over their goal. This year, as cochairs of the all-night event starting on March 7 at Union County Magnet High School, the two Scotch Plains 16-year-olds hope to top that.

Jessie admits she should have foreseen the fun problem. As a freshman in late 2006, she suggested that the school’s community service club have a relay because she had seen what a good time her brother Zach, 17, had helping to organize the ACS relay at his school, Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School.

The issue is very personal for all three youngsters. In 2001, Zach and Jessie lost both their grandfathers to cancer. Eliann’s one grandfather endured lung cancer. “It’s all around us,” Zach said, as Jessie and Eliann, neighbors and best friends since toddlerhood, nodded in agreement. As chatty and effervescent as all three are, they are intensely serious about this. “A lot of people in our school have also been touched personally by it,” Jessie said.

But they have also witnessed with gratitude the results of advances in cancer care: Eliann’s aunt had the disease and is now cancer-free. The Feldmans’ uncle had it and is in remission. Both, like the teens’ parents, have been great supporters of the relay effort.

Eight hundred were in attendance last year at the relay at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, where it has been held for almost 10 years. They raised $60,000, putting them in second place per capita in the ACS’ northeast region — that achievement was made, Zach pointed out proudly, in competition with adults. Other than those held at SPFHS and Union County Magnet High School, also in Scotch Plains, and one other in New York, the relays are all adult-run.

But Zach — who was in charge of entertainment at the event last year and is again for this year’s relay on May 9 — said many came to party rather than raise money. He, like Jessie and Eliann, hopes to rekindle the fund-raising motivation. But meanwhile, working with their fellow committee members, they have invested much creativity in turning this year’s theme, “Mission Possible,” into a smorgasbord of activities.

The relays at both schools involve teams who keep up a marathon walk with at least one member in action at all times. Those not walking can have snacks, dance, learn about cancer research, watch movies, snooze, take part in a Guitar Hero contest, or even have a skin cancer Thermascan. While the suggested minimum sponsorship is $150, nobody is turned away.

A rare degree of sibling support is in evidence. Zach, who plays in three different bands and serves as a booking agent for local concerts, is going to be a DJ at the Magnet school’s relay — that is, when he isn’t playing with his band, one of the three lined up to provide live entertainment. He won’t get there till midnight though; first he has to perform in a musical at his school.

Asked about the pace of his life, Zach grinned and said, “I tried a lower stress approach but it didn’t work. I do better this way.”

In addition to his music and schoolwork and the months of preparatory work for the relay, he is involved with SMAC (Student Movement Against Cancer), a club launched at his school in 2005 by identical twins Barie and Tracy Salmon. Eliann and Jessie started a SMAC club at the Magnet school too. “We had so many great ideas for fund-raisers, it seemed a pity to just do the relay,” Jessie said.

Working with them, they stressed, is their equally dedicated committee vice chair, freshman Dylan Lang, and their copresidents on the student executive board. They mentioned too that their school was chosen to host this year’s Relay for Life conference at least in part because of the innovative ideas showcased at their relay kickoff last fall.

Their teacher adviser is Debbie LeBrun, who happens to be the United Synagogue Youth leader at Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, where the two families are members.

All three teens are bold in their pursuit of cash for a good cause and want to encourage others to be that way, too. They are also longtime Super Sunday volunteers with the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey, with parents and grandparents who have been community activists. Jessie, whose grandmother Lenore Feldman was national president of the National Council of Jewish Women, has recently become involved with NCJW herself.

Last year, Eliann raised $4,700 for the relay by reaching out to all her relatives and family friends. Jessie took in $1,500, including her own donation of $200. She said she plans to do at least that again this year. Giving, she said, “makes it so much easier to ask other people to give, too.”

“That’s why I couldn’t say no to her,” Zach added with a mock eye roll, but also acknowledging a touch of brotherly pride.

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