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The Wave
Newsletter
Volume 1
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A Special Welcome
We’re heading into a brand-new season, and that means it’s time to start gearing up for our 2026 cruise fundraiser! 🚢 ✨ We’re so inspired by the strength, hope, and heart our KCO family continues to show—seriously, you all are amazing.
This past year? Wow. It was incredible. From unforgettable events to powerful moments, we’ve made some serious waves together—and we can’t wait to share some of the highlights with you and give you a peek at what’s coming next.
Together, we’re kicking CANCER overboard. 💥 We’ll keep holding onto hope that each day brings us closer to a future without cancer. Until then, we’ll keep pushing forward—one family at a time. Thanks for showing up with love, dedication, and that unbeatable KCO spirit. Let’s keep going. |
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Team Kick Cancer Overboard Makes a Difference
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our amazing fundraising teams who have poured in so much hard work and dedication over the past year. Your efforts are truly inspiring.
A huge shoutout goes to Team Kick Cancer Overboard, our phenomenal parent team, which consistently leads the way with approximately 20 sub-teams under its umbrella at any given time. What an incredible example of leadership and community!
Thanks to everyone’s combined efforts, we’ve raised an astounding $ 119,736.00 this year — and because of you, 34 families affected by cancer will be setting sail for Bermuda in May 2025 for a life-changing 5-day cruise.
As Janine Bedford Sims of Team Garden (Sprengels) — and a former cruise recipient herself — puts it: “We are honored to be part of this amazing group of people and cause.”
Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to giving another family the gift of hope, joy, and a much-needed break from the battle that is cancer.
A very special thank you to Ester Jordan, founder of Team Kick Cancer Overboard. Ester, your tireless dedication
and passion have been the driving force behind our growth and continued success. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without you.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you all. Let’s keep making waves! |
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This Past Year’s Amazing Events
🌊 Kicking Cancer Overboard: A Year of Hope, Heart, and High Seas 🚢
As we eagerly prepare to set sail on the 2026 Bermuda cruise, we can’t help but look back on a truly remarkable year that was packed with unforgettable events, inspiring generosity, and life-changing moments for our Kick Cancer Overboard.
✨ A Look Back at 2024–2025 Highlights:
- Howell Heat Tournaments (April 2024 & 2025): These energetic competitions brought the heat in more ways than one, with all proceeds donated to KCO.
- Runapalooza Relay Marathon (April 2024 & 2025): Runners hit the pavement with heart, raising impressive funds to help send survivors on the cruise of a lifetime.
- Wynward Tavern’s Kegs & Eggs (March 2024 & 2025, plus Thanksgiving 2024): A fun and festive tradition in Brick, NJ! These events raised crucial funds to support more cruise recipients and warmed our hearts with their continued commitment.
- The Big Event (March 2025): A day like no other, when all of our teams, past cruise recipients, and supporters came together to celebrate love, life, and resilience. Fourteen more families were surprised with the gift of a cruise in a day full of food, fun, laughter, and tears. It’s a tradition that reminds us why we do what we do.
- Sprengel’s Fundraiser (October 2024): Team Garden (Sprengels) in Neptune threw an unforgettable event at
- Garden Bar—5 families were awarded cruises that day!
- Tammi Dixon Sneaker Ball (October 2025): A night of glam and generosity where one deserving family was gifted a cruise.
- Team Elaine’s Night at Manasquan Elks (Feb 2025): A fun-filled evening with Time Machine—and 2 cruises awarded!
- Team KCO Dinner Dance (Nov 2025): Over 140 attendees came together for a night of music, dancing, and generosity— resulting in 8 families receiving cruises.
- RockIt Academy Holiday Concert (Dec 2025): A beautiful evening of music and meaning, sent send 4 families on our 2025 cruise.
🌟 Altogether, thanks to your support and dedication, we sent 37 recipients—over 180 KCO cruisers in total on the 2025 Bermuda cruise!
💙 Thank you to everyone who showed up, donated, danced, ran, sang, and celebrated with us this year. YOU made this possible. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to Kick Cancer Overboard, one wave at a time.
Looking forward to an amazing Fall Winter and Spring heading into the 2026 cruise.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar…SAVE the DATE
- October 11, 2025, Team Gardens 4th annual Kick Cancer Overboard event..food..music gift auction cruise awards.
- November 8, 2025, Team Garden presents Hugs From Heaven with renowned Medium Barbara Lee
- March 22, 2026, Team Kick Cancer Overboard presents THE BIG EVENT.. cruises being awarded SUPRISE!!!!
- April 25, 2026, Kick Cancer Overboard 1st annual Spring Gala at Jumping Brook Country Club
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🌟 Spotlight Story:
Stevens Strength, Sophia’s Surprise, and the Ripples of Kindness
In the fall of 2022, life changed in an instant for one special family. On October 10th, ten-year- old Steven Veloso—a bright, energetic member of the 10U Southern Rams—was diagnosed with leukemia. It was a diagnosis no family ever expects, especially for someone so young. Shock rippled through his team and community, but what followed was a beautiful display of unity, love, and action.
Coach Torres and team mom Mary Grace Herring immediately reached out to Kick Cancer Overboard through Ester Jordan with a simple but powerful mission: give Steven and his family something to look forward to—a 5-day cruise to Bermuda, once he was medically cleared to travel. The team rallied, fundraising with determination and heart.
And in May 2024, that dream became reality. Steven, his parents, and his younger siblings boarded the ship and sailed away from hospitals, treatments, and the weight of worry—for five precious days filled with laughter, relaxation, and healing. It was more than a vacation—it was a reminder that joy is still possible, even in the midst of a fight.
But the story doesn’t stop there.
During that cruise, Steven’s mom, Michelle, made a quiet promise: to pay it forward. While continuing to care for Steven and his younger brother with developmental disabilities, Michelle stayed committed to that promise. Just a few months later, at the Oceans of Love charity event, she met the family she had been looking for—a young girl named Sophia.
Sophia is just 9 years old. Born with Down Syndrome, she had recently been diagnosed with B- cell ALL. Her strength was undeniable, and Michelle knew instantly: this was the family she wanted to bless. With hearts full of gratitude and renewed purpose, the family began fundraising in July 2024—this time, for Sophia.
And in March 2025, during The Big Event, Sophia and her family were surprised with the gift of a lifetime—a cruise on Liberty of the Seas, joining over 180 KCO cruisers this May.
Steven’s journey is one of strength, perseverance, and something even deeper: compassion. He and his family didn’t stop at hope—they became hope for someone else. A pebble dropped in the water, making ripples that turn into waves.
We’re thrilled to share that Steven Veloso rang the bell on March 7, 2025, officially marking the end of his treatment and just days later, he celebrated his 13th birthday cancer-free.
And now, he and Sophia’s stories will forever sail together, as reminders of what’s possible when love leads the way.
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From the Founder
Welcome to the very first issue of the Kick Cancer Overboard Newsletter—a love letter to hope, resilience, and the incredible power of community.
 Fifteen years ago, everything changed when my dear friend Donnalyn Giegerich received a diagnosis no one is ever prepared for. The odds were devastating. The prognosis was grim. But Donnalyn didn’t let that stop her. Instead, she lit a fire—a fierce, unshakable determination to live boldly, to love deeply, and to uplift others who found themselves in the fight of their lives. From her home office, we began dreaming. What could we do? How could we help people who felt like the ground had been pulled out from beneath them? And then it came to us: What if we could give them something they’d never expect—a moment of peace, a burst of joy, a break from the storm? What if we could send them on a cruise… not just a vacation, but a lifeline?
That simple idea grew beyond our wildest dreams. Today, nearly 1,000 families have sailed into healing waters, carried by your kindness. Together, we’ve raised almost $1 million—and every single dollar has helped bring light into some of life’s darkest moments. This newsletter is more than just an update. It’s a space for stories—of courage, of compassion, of the everyday heroes who show us that love in action changes everything. And none of this would be possible without you. I’m deeply grateful to Janine Bedford for stepping in as our editor and storyteller.
She’ll help us capture the magic, the tears, and the triumphs that define Kick Cancer Overboard.
If Donnalyn taught us anything, it’s that when one person chooses to act with love, they create a ripple that touches lives in ways they may never fully see. Thank you for being part of that ripple. Thank you for believing in this mission. And thank you for helping turn heartbreak into hope, and struggle into something beautiful.
With all my heart,
Ted Friedli |
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| Though Donnalyn may have lost her earthly battle with cancer, her light continues to shine in every life she touched. Her strength and compassion live on in the mission we carry forward.
This 1st edition of our newsletter is dedicated to her memory.
A woman whose grace and courage will never be forgotten. She reminded us all to love deeply, give freely and never stop fighting for what matters. Her legacy is the heartbeat of this organization and her spirit will forever guide our path.
“What we leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others”
IN LOVING MEMORY
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
DONNALYN |
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Fifteen years ago, everything changed when my dear friend Donnalyn Giegerich received a diagnosis no one is ever prepared for. The odds were devastating. The prognosis was grim. But Donnalyn didn’t let that stop her. Instead, she lit a fire—a fierce, unshakable determination to live boldly, to love deeply, and to uplift others who found themselves in the fight of their lives. From her home office, we began dreaming. What could we do? How could we help people who felt like the ground had been pulled out from beneath them? And then it came to us: What if we could give them something they’d never expect—a moment of peace, a burst of joy, a break from the storm? What if we could send them on a cruise… not just a vacation, but a lifeline?
Though Donnalyn may have lost her earthly battle with cancer, her light continues to shine in every life she touched. Her strength and compassion live on in the mission we carry forward.