Geltrude Foundation Raises $100,000 to Fight Melanoma
• State to Post New Warnings at Entrances to All Beaches in New Jersey
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Geltrude Foundation Dinner: Sal Coco, Superin- tendent of Schools Joseph Zara and his wife, Donna, enjoy conversation with Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger.
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Mike Geltrude, grandson of the late Michael Geltrude, with Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger.
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
TWO SPORTS PROS: Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger and Coach Sam Stellatella exchange notes as the crowd of supporters arrives at Nanina's to carry forward the fight against melanoma.
Jun 13, 2010 – "A huge success both financially and with the Nutley community," Dan Geltrude said today in reviewing the spectacular turnout at Thursday night's Geltrude Foundation fundraiser for melanoma research and awareness. About 200 persons were still trying to acquire tickets after the event sold out including another 50 who couldn't be seated at the spacious Nanina's in the Park because of lack of seating.
A big draw this year was the appearance of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, the former Notre Dame University football player best known as the inspiration for the motion picture "Rudy." Ruettiger was the guest speaker at the foundation's annual fundraiser and also mingled with the crowd, answering questions, signing autographs, and reinforcing the night's main message that the summer sun, or even a local tanning salon, are the primary causes of the deadly melanoma disease.
Assemblyman Fred Scalera spoke briefly to announce that the N.J. Legislature soon will be posting melanoma warnings at the entrance to all public beaches in the state. The signs will emphasize that melanoma is not simply a mild form of skin cancer, but is deadly – especially to young people.
Scalera also is introducing legislation that will ban the use of tanning salons in New Jersey by persons under the age of 18.
The Mike Geltrude Foundation was established in 2006 just prior to the death of long time Nutley resident Mike Geltrude from melanoma skin cancer. The foundation was formed for the purpose of raising funds for melanoma awareness, education and research. To date, the foundation has donated more than $200,000 to melanoma research including a single $50,000 donation that was made at Thursday night's dinner.
That $50,000 donation was made anonymously and was presented in behalf of the donor by Nutley attorney Angelo Cifelli, Jr.
The 400 attendees Thursday night were also generous in the pre-dinner wine-tasting opportunities and a spectacular offering of sports memorabilia
"We sold every piece of sports memorabilia that was offered," Dan Geltrude said. Several copies of the foundation's digital display disc (DVD's) titled "Dead Wrong: It's Only Skin Cancer" were also sold. Copies of that DVD also are in use by the Nutley school system and are being distributed to schools nation-wide along with a teacher's guide.
"We're already working with Nanina's to see how we can accommodate more people at next year's foundation dinner," Dan Geltrude said this morning. Maybe the wine tasting area will have to be reduced – or more space for table seating can somehow be provided.
On a disheartening note, the Nutley Chamber of Commerce it its weekly update to members on Thursday announced that a new sun tanning salon has opened in town.
