Walking to Keep A Memory Alive

The Great Lawn Pavilion on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch will be site of FARE’S Food Allergy Heroes Walk this Sunday.

FARE, which stands for Food Allergy Research & Education, holds these fundraising walks around the country during the spring and fall and in addition to the Jersey Shore walk there will others this weekend in Philadelphia, Chicago, Tampa, and California.

Sunday’s walk has already raised about $40,000 of the $55,000 goal and leading the standings in money raised is “Team Anthony Maruca” with $6,700.

Many of us are aware of the tragic loss the Maruca Family suffered in March of 2017 when just six weeks after moving to Boston for a new job the 23-year old recent Rutgers University graduate died.  Anthony had been dealing with multiple food allergies his entire life but never let that get in his way and was a Jersey Shore kid through and through.

He love playing sports, was a lifeguard in the summer and had a passion for taking photos of his friends surfing but 19 months ago he suffered an allergic reaction and died from anaphylactic shock.

The loss was simply devastating to the Maruca Family, well known for the “tomato pies” they have been serving on the boardwalk in Seaside for decades.  But as they have done before they have rallied and as many as 75 family, friends and fraternity brothers will be walking Sunday in Anthony’s memory and also for Victoria Tabano, his close friend who lives each day with the challenges presented by this life-threatening disease.

You can help “Team Anthony Maruca” and help raise funds for FARE as they seek to fulfill their mission to improve the quality of life and the health of the 15 million Americans with food allergies.  The money raised helps fund education programs, advocacy and awareness initiatives and world-class research to create a better future for all who are affected and impacted by food allergies.

To donate visit fare.foodallergy.org.  On the home page scroll down to where it says “Register for a Walk” and then on the next page click on “Find a Walk.”  You will see “Jersey Shore Walk” and on that page you will click on “Team Anthony Maruca” listed under Top Teams which will allow you to become part of their team by making a donation.

Anthony Maruca left this world far too young but continues to be a beacon of hope for others through those that loved him the most.