West Orange Teachers Battle Cancer: Community Shows Support

West Orange, NJ – The West Orange school community paid respect to two local teachers battling cancer during the annual faculty-student basketball game at Liberty Middle School.

The Feb. 16 game featured an appearance from English Language Arts teacher Kimberly Fitzgerald DeMeo, who has been with the district for 18 years and is currently fighting breast cancer.

Accompanied by her husband Jason, four-year-old twins Sydney and Miranda and other family members, DeMeo – a published author - thanked the West Orange community for their well-wishes and positive thoughts.

“To say that I am touched by the student versus faculty basketball game in my honor would be an understatement,” DeMeo said. “I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing community of colleagues, parents and students. Thank you to all who came out to support me today. Also, thank you to all who continue to support me through this journey that I am on right now.”

DeMeo continued:

“The outpouring of love and support that I have received is what gets me through each day. To my colleagues, students, family and friends… I love you all.”

PLEASANTDALE TEACHER

The game also featured a touching show of support for another West Orange teacher battling cancer.

During halftime, seventh grade student Cory Lillis had his hair cut for Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program to honor a teacher at Pleasantdale School.

Lillis had been growing his hair for over two years before the game, according to school officials.

“No one can ever really help someone who has cancer, but you can shed light on the cause,” Lillis said. “Every time someone asked me why my hair was so long, or why I don’t get my hair cut, I was able to tell them that I was growing it to donate, because I have a very special teacher that is sick.”

“After growing my hair for more than two years, I kind of miss it,” Lillis continued. “But I’m proud of myself for having continued to grow it, and that the teachers and students at Liberty were there when I got it cut.”

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Photo 1: Kim DeMeo (center) with school faculty players

Photo 2: Cory Lillis gets his hair cut at halftime

Photo 3: Liberty students and athletes

Photos courtesy of West Orange Public Schools