As many of us in the Marlboro High School Class of ’94 turn 50 this year, I felt compelled to start a fundraiser in honor of the classmates we have lost, and to help give children facing serious illness the chance to grow up and reach the milestones our friends never had the chance to see.

Sima Jain. Jeremy Roberts. Carl Gilardi. Meredith Tsue. Kevin Moran. Amy Greenberg Pierson. Jarred Orange. Christopher Parks. Eddie Wysocki. Justin Frankel. Herb Bertine. Derek Stott.

If I have unknowingly missed anyone, please let me know.

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Recently I was looking through our yearbook with my daughter. As we flipped through the pages, I found myself pointing out classmates and sharing stories. Too often, I also found myself saying, “they passed away.”

It struck me that reaching 50 is not something we should take for granted. We are lucky to have made it this far, and maybe the best way to honor those who did not is to do something meaningful in their memory.

So I am starting a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I chose St. Jude because they give children and families their best chance to survive, grow up, and someday reach milestones like the ones we are celebrating now.

There is a saying: “You die twice. Once when you stop breathing, and a second time when someone mentions your name for the last time.” Today, I want to say their names.

Sima Jain

Jeremy Roberts

Carl Gilardi

Meredith Tsue

Kevin Moran

Amy Greenberg Pierson

Jarred Orange

Christopher Parks

Eddie Wysocki

Justin Frankel

Herb Bertine

Derek Stott

May their memory be for a blessing.

100% of the money raised will go directly to St. Jude, and donations are tax deductible.

If you would like to join me, please consider donating or sharing. No amount is too small. Let’s honor our classmates by helping more children have the chance to grow up and grow old.