Mission Statement

 “We walk for the cure, we honor the fallen, we service the struggling, and celebrate the survivors. “

More Than Friends is a Latino/Caribbean/American Initiative that is dedicated to cancer survivors. However, in order to advocate good health practices to the community at –large, our website offers: 1. A free 7-day exercise program, and 2. A  free subscription to the magazines CURE and HEAL to everyone. In addition, our programs strengthen family life and structure, promote health awareness, quality education, community involvement, and economic empowerment.

 

What We Do

Caring & Sharing Baskets: We service the struggling when we visit and give Caring and Sharing baskets to cancer patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. We provide information that  leads to resources for the specific needs of un-insured and under-insured cancer survivors.

Book Fest: Our annual book fest is called, “Winners Practice in the Off-Season”  Every child receives a healthy snack, a book, writing pads, pens, and pencils. The event includes reading to children, making crafts, face painting etc. We reach approximately 100 elementary school children, to remind  them to continue reading throughout the summer. We partner with any community organization eg  St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Passaic Health Department Passaic Children’s Library,, The Passaic Boathouse.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Celebration- of- Life Dinner Dance: 10/20/2018 - We encourage survivors and supporters to attend our Celebration- of- Life Dinner Dance annually, in order to honor cancer survivors in the Survivors Circle.  During the dance, we also honor community members for their service and contributions to health, education and social welfare programs. All proceeds from the dance benefit cancer survivors by helping them to shift from surviving to thriving, as they emerge victorious when they conquer this disease.

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Tea Party:  Our Annual Tea Party and Tricky Tray takes place every spring. More Than Friends is proud to host a gathering where guests of all ages get together for an afternoon filled with information. Our topics are diverse, and include women’s empowerment, nutrition, autism, the hearing- impaired, women’s heart issues, diabetes, in-vitro fertilization, prison issues and positive family values.

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Relay for Life  and Making Strides: Teaming up with The American Cancer Society, More Than Friends takes part in these community events where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams get together and share several hours walking, or running around a track/path or dedicated city streets. All monies raised go to the ACS to help prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering.

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Outreach 2017:  Two survivors volunteered to initiate satellite services in Tennesee, USA and Trinidad &Tobago. Dr. Elise Bourne-Busby as Grand Marshal, with other members participated in the Jersey City Caribbean Parade. She was also featured on the St. Joseph’s Health billboard on Route 80 West, NJ.

Awards:  Proclamation from the County of Passaic Board of Chosen Freeholders, Senate and General Assembly Citation, Special Congressional Recognition as an honoree at the Annual Black History Month Celebration on February 28, 2017. Tri-State Community Service Award from Team Caribe,

and 2018 Certificate of Appreciation from the American Cancer Society.

Contribution to Research: We contribute annually to the Jimmy Fund Clinic fund-raiser. Center  for research and treatment of pediatric cancers at the Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.

 

Executive Board Members

Dr. Elise Bourne-Busby- Chairperson                            Dr. Lorén Barbosa- Co-Chairperson

Lystra Huntley- Treasurer                                              Trudy King - Recording Secretary

Ethel Edwards- Public Relations                                      Dale Cephas- Public Relations

 

Members- At- Large

Uris Cephas, Faby Colon, Gail Corbin-Butler, Joanne Edwards, Kathleen Guevara, Jennifer Martinez,  Marlene Nenadich,  Raj Ramrattansingh, Griselda Rosario,  Merle Solomon,  Susan Twyman, Gloria Vega, Lenny Vega.

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