Scotch Plains Honors 12-Year-Old Battling Cancer With Special Day

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Scotch Plains is honoring a township 12-year-old boy, who is battling a rare form of cancer, with a special day on Saturday.

The Township Council has deemed May 15 as "Jamming for Jacob Day" in honor of Jacob Benedicto, a third baseman and catcher for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood 12U Blue baseball team who loves the Yankees.

Benedicto is being treated for a rare form of cancer, known as Rhabdomyosarcoma and his teammates have been rallying around him.

Recently they chipped in to buy Benedicto a Gio Urshela jersey, to show his love for the Yankees third basemen when he goes to his next chemotherapy treatment.

The team also created "Kids Jam," to raise funds for the team's trip to Cooperstown, N.Y., home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now, money is being raised for the "Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation," to support Benedicto's off-the-field battle.

The Township Council also passed a resolution to promote the "Kids Jam" fundraiser to help offset medical costs.

"The team created these terrific 'Jamming for Jacob' stickers, and I'm thrilled that more than 900 of them have been distributed to sports team across town," said Scotch Plains Councilman Matt Adams. "Everyone is asking for these stickers to show their support for a fellow athlete in the community."

A Kan Jam Tournament will be held on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Ashbrook Golf Course at 1210 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

Entrance fee is $200 and includes:

• Entry in the tournament for one adult and one child
• Barbecue with hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken
• Soft drinks, water and juice for all participants
• Beer and wine for adults
• Winning team wins a Sony Playstation 5

For more information visit jamkancerinthekan.com.

"While we are nowhere near as fun as Jacob’s pals on his baseball team, the Township Council wants to do our part to show our support for this worthwhile fundraiser and let Jacob know we are pulling for him," said Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo. "I want to express our gratitude for the entire community who has embraced this terrific cause, yet another reason why this town is so special."

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