Avery's Carnival Raising Money For Two Families

For the eighth year, a little girl who loved to dance and who fought cancer like a warrior will be remembered for her joyful spirit.

And honored for her fight with a fundraiser that celebrates all that makes childhood fun.

The eighth annual Avery’s Carnival, hosted by the Standing Ovation School of Dance on Mantoloking Road, honors Avery Lubrecht, a student of the dance school who lost her battle with cancer in August 2008 at the age of 4. It annually raises funds for pediatric cancer research.

This year’s carnival also will be raising money to assist two Brick Township families: the family of Tracy Verdura, who is battling a rare oral cancer, and the family of Rob Kalp, who died of leukemia earlier this year at the age of 45.

About every 30 minutes, a child in the United States will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. according to the National Cancer Institute at the federal National Institutes of Health.

Of the 15,780 children expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, 1,960 will die, according to the cancer institute, making it the leading cause of disease-related death in children. But funding for research into pediatric cancer remains comparatively low, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, which is fighting to bring more research money to children’s cancers.

The carnival, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday includes face painting, carnival games, a live DJ, a giant slide, rides, a video game truck, prizes and more, according to organizers.

A $20 donation per child entitles them to a wristband to enjoy the fun, and the proceeds go to pediatric cancer research.

For more information, visit the Avery Lubrecht Foundation page on Facebook or the Standing Ovation School of Dance website.