Community Corner

Two-Time Clark Cancer Survivor Promotes Relay For Life Event

The Mills at Jersey Gardens "Paint the Mall Purple" had shoppers wearing purple to raise awareness and funds for American Cancer Society.

ELIZABETH, NJ — It was 17 years ago when Robin Brown of Clark was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time.

Brown underwent a hysterectomy and just two days after her last radiation treatment, Brown walked in her first American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at Kean University.

Brown’s cancer did resurface, but she continued to fight. She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery and has been cancer free since.

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Hoping to help and support others who are battling or have battled cancer, Brown became a representative for the Relay for Life.

As a store manager for Tommy Hilfiger in The Mills at Jersey Gardens, Brown partnered up with the mall to create the “Paint the Mall Purple” event to raise awareness and funds for the prevention and detection of cancer and services for those battling the disease.

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On Friday, June 16 the mall and participating stores will be decorated in purple to raise awareness and support for the disease. Additionally, The Mills at Jersey Gardens will donate $1 for every employee and guest that checks in to Guest Services wearing purple that day. (Guest Services is located on the lower level between Burlington Coat Factory and Marshalls).

Shoppers can also buy something purple while at the mall and show that to Guest Services to support the cause.

“Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” Brown said. “It even gets competitive between the other store owners.”

The Mall at Jersey Gardens has been hosting this event for the past 10 years.

“After 17 years, it still brings tears to my eyes to see the number of survivors grow year after year and know I had something to do with that with the money we raised,” Brown said.

For more information, call 908-354-5900 or visit www.simon.com/mall/the-mills-at-jersey-gardens or Relayforlife.org.

You can also donate directly to Brown’s Relay for Life fundraiser HERE.

(Images provided)

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