Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • October 12, 2011 Upper Saddle River Organizers of the iWalk for Arya fundraiser decided to extend the September observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month right through Oct. 2 this year. This walk, which is held in memory of Arya Majumder, an 11-year-old Upper Saddle River resident who lost his battle with cancer last year, was held in Lions Park. The event was ably organized by Louisa Quarto and a few other mothers of Arya’s friends. About 150 participants, some very young and still in baby strollers, joined the walk to help fight childhood cancer, and several friends and family members were able to drive in from Connecticut and Massachusetts to participate. The walk was energetically led by Arya’s close friends accompanied by Arya’s golden retriever, Max. Lions Park was decorated with a balloon archway, and participants were welcomed with gifts sponsored by TD Bank. Music, bagels, and water were provided to inspire the participants. Commemorative T-shirts, which were sponsored by ProCon Inc., include a long list of event sponsors and donors. The crowd favorite – a dunk tank -- was missing due to a mechanical failure. Although the kids were disappointed, Tara and Dan Quarto escaped being dunked on that cool morning. The highlight of the day was the ceremonial presentation of a $1,000 check by the PBA representatives of the Upper Saddle River Police Department. The PBA also supported the cause last year, showing their confidence iWalk for Arya raises funds for cancer research in Arya’s Kids, a foundation to fight childhood cancers. The event was inaugurated by Arya’s mother Swati, who is president and treasurer of Arya’s Kids. She welcomed everyone and announced that 100% of the money raised by the walk will be used to support new clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The news that money raised from last year’s fundraising efforts had been donated for another clinical trial that has received FDA approval was met with loud cheers from the audience. Notably, another 11-yearold boy is likely to be the first recipient of that trial at MSKCC, a world leader in cancer treatment. Arya was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2006 at the age of eight. After a long battle that included a bone marrow transplant, Arya passed away on April 25, 2010. After his untimely death, Arya’s parents, Kumud and Swati Majumder, took help of a few friends and created the Arya’s Kids Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to help children with cancer. The first major aim is to find a “child friendly” treatment for pediatric cancers. The second goal is to create an awareness campaign across the nation and globe so more effort will be devoted to treating children with cancer. Arya’s Kids has already been very successful in its fundraising efforts. In the first 18 months of its existence, the foundation has raised about $150,000 -- with about half coming from the 2010 and 2011 walkathons, which Arya’s best friends call the iWalk for Arya. “Though Arya lived a short life of 11 years, his legacy lives on and is destined to have a permanent effect on our society. So far it has already saved three lives,” Kumud Majumder said. “The bone marrow donor drives done in Arya’s honor in 2009, has so far resulted in three transplants with more expected. “This is a fitting tribute to Arya. Those who knew Arya identify him as a vivacious, highly intelligent, multi-talented, very friendly, funny, and, above all, highly compassionate child. He always wanted to be a Harvard trained lawyer and a U.S. senator who would work for the people.” Arya is remembered for his positive influence on other children and even the adults in his community. “He has shown that we adults have so much to learn from children who can stay above the day-to-day pettiness of the adult world,” Kumud Majumder added. “Arya always wanted that every child coming to the hospital for cancer treatment should be able to go back home happy and cured. While Arya did not have the good fortune of being a beneficiary of his own wish, Arya’s parents, the board members and supporters of Arya’s Kids are doing their best to make his wish come true for other cancer kids in the coming days,” Kumud Majumder added. “Let’s dream of a day when cancer can be treated just like any other major non-life threatening disease.” Brook restoration project (continued from page 3) those moneys would be a long shot because of greater priorities in areas such as Wayne. “It’s just $160,000 to help out. They are not buying anyone out,” said Bozzo, more optimistic about getting a FEMA grant. Residents weighed in at the conclusion of the meeting. “Before you spend the $22,000, find out if there is a possibility that the Mosquito Commission can do it,” said Al Condon. “Going to them before we have a conceptual plan is premature,” Kratz noted. “You do have a moral obligation to take the steps necessary whether or not you get money from FEMA,” said former Mayor Frank McKenna. “$!60,000 is not beyond the realm of this government; it is beyond the realm of these residents. They live in fear; it’s an awful way to live.” The council will now have to formally introduce an ordinance committing the funds to the project.