Wednesday, October 15th was a special evening for The Icla da Silva Foundation. Hundreds of friends gathered at our Hope Gala to celebrate the lives that have been saved through bone marrow transplants. The evening raised more than $315,000 and is the Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event. Financial contributions are critical to the continued growth[…]

BY STACEY ROSENFELD STAFF WRITER CLIFFSIDE PARK CITIZEN BERNADETTE MARCINIAK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Ilyana Martinez swabs the inside of her cheek for a sample to be in the bone marrow registry at the Save Sofia Bone Marrow Registry Drive held at the Cliffside Park Firehouse on May 10. Also pictured is Donna Murtaugh, of Cliffside Park, assisting[…]

Behind his adventurous spirit you never would have known that Robert C. Lohnes was sick.  He dedicated his life to serving others through his many uniforms which included NYC Detective, Fingerprint Expert, Cold War Veteran and Ambulatory Care Volunteer.   Even with a distinguished career where he was called upon by the FBI to support[…]

In 2009, Marlon Layne was diagnosed with Lymphoma, yet it was impossible to notice. Hidden behind his handsome face and contagious smile recalled by many of his colleagues, Marlon kept the issues that were greatly affecting his health unknown to most.   A natural leader, Marlon inspired his colleagues through his drive and commitment to success through[…]

On Saturday, Feb. 22, join the family, friends and parishioners of St. Jude Church, in partnership with The Icla da Silva Foundation, at a bone marrow drive.

I’ve had my life saved twice by strangers: once when I was 10 and was swept underwater at an amusement park and the other when I slipped climbing a volcano in Chile eleven years later.

“I’ve been helping people all my life,” she said, so it is nice to see the reaction from the community rallying around her now. Zayas, 52, of Meriden, CT, worked in social services beginning in the late 1980s. She was the executive director of the Spanish Community of Wallingford from 1988 to 1993. She also[…]