Saint Peter's to Host Holiday Party for Children Who Have Lost a Parent to Cancer

Children who have lost a parent to cancer are invited to a holiday party at Saint Peter's University Hospital from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

Hosted by the Adult Oncology Nursing Unit at the hospital, the party will feature food, music, gifts and a visit from Santa.

Saint Peter’s will also award the Carlton Evans Memorial Scholarship to a college student who lost his mother to cancer at the age of 14. The scholarship is made possible through a donation by Celeste Evans, in honor of her late husband, who was treated for cancer at the hospital.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 70,161 New Jersey residents died of cancer between 2002 and 2005.

“So many kids lose their parents to cancer at a young age. It’s devastating,” said Avril Keldo, APN-C, RNC, OCN, and oncology nurse manager, who started the annual event in 2006. “With one or both parents gone, this party allows the children and care givers the opportunity to celebrate and remember their parents around the holidays, which for many was always a festive and joyous time in their young lives.”

Please RSVP by Dec. 3 to Avril Keldo, nurse manager of the oncology unit, at (732) 745-860, Ext. 7671, or at akeldo@saintpetersuh.com.

Saint Peter's University Hospital is located at 254 Easton Ave.