Junior Board of Directors
Meghan
Chair
Hi everybody! My name is Meghan Gido and I am from Saddle River, New Jersey. I currently attend Hamilton College as a freshman. My parents first introduced me to ECF when I was very young, and I have always been interested in getting more involved. In 2018, I was finally given the opportunity to volunteer at the holiday party, and since then I have done my best to serve the ECF community through holding fundraisers and attending events. In 2021, I was originally accepted into the Junior Board as the Chair of the Service Committee. I have seen firsthand the positive impact that ECF has on countless children and families, and to be a part of that is simply incredible. Outside of my work with ECF, I bowl competitively and I love going to concerts! I am absolutely honored to be the Chair of ECF’s Junior Board, and I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us!
Mark
Vice Chair
My name is Mark Rome and I am from Wyckoff, NJ. I am studying engineering at Bergen County
Academies High School. My first experience working with ECF was helping out at one of their local food
drives, and I immediately wanted to be a part of ECF’s message and goal. I have seen firsthand how they
have brightened the lives of countless kids and families and they do it all from the goodness of their
hearts. I love sports, volunteering, hiking, skiing and traveling , and I am so excited to be a part of this
team. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things we will do. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Izzy
Corresponding Secretary
My name is Izzy! I am a junior at Middletown high school north and am the corresponding secretary of
the ECF Jr. Board. At school I take 5 AP classes and I am a part of 7 clubs and 2 honor societies. I play a
very active role in my schools student government and I am not only the treasurer and social media
manager, but I am the secretary for childhood cancer awareness. Through this position I have been able to
connect ECF to my school through a multitude of fundraisers and events! I got involved in ECF through
my mom who is an ECF social worker and she shared with me the values of ECF and it became such an
important part of my life. The junior board means so much to me because it has given me an opportunity
to give back to my community and help families in need.
Hana
Treasurer
I’m Hana and I’m currently a junior at Hunter College High School in New York City. I’m a competitive
gymnast and I love trying new foods, cats, and exploring NYC! I was introduced to ECF over quarantine,
and I absolutely love their mission and dedication to helping as many families as possible. I’m so excited
to be apart of such a wonderful organization and I can’t wait to add on to the incredible work that ECF
provides!
Paige
Recording Secretary
Hi i’m Paige! I attend Middletown High School North and am currently a Junior. I am proud to be the
recording secretary for the ECF Jr. board! I am heavily involved with my school whether it be the 5 clubs
I am apart of, 4 APs, being a member of an honor society, or the athletic commitment I have within my
varsity sport. I am grateful to have been introduced to such an inspiring foundation and cannot wait to
continue to inspire others with our actions of giving back to the community!
Reese
Social Media Manager
My name is Reese Passuth and I am from Clark, NJ. I first learned of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation
through family members. Through my research on ECF, I found out that it was an organization dedicated
to providing financial and emotional support to children who have cancer and their families. The more I
learned, the more I was truly amazed at the dedication and commitment of those who are a part of the
ECF organization. I knew I had to be a part of it and I began to volunteer weekly in the Clark, NJ office.
Soon I applied and was accepted into the Junior Board. I am so lucky that I am able to contribute to this
cause and I can't believe I get to work with this incredible team.
Tony
Special Assignments
My name is Tony, I currently attend Brookdale Community College. I graduated from Holmdel High
School, so that means I live in Holmdel. I am also an Eagle Scout. I love helping people, so the Jr board is
a perfect fit for me. I am always looking to make new friends and try new things. I love family, friends,
and video games.
Olivia
Special Assignments
My name is Olivia Belasco and I am from Glen Rock, New Jersey. I am currently a sophomore at
Villanova University. I was lucky enough to run a food drive for Emmanuel Cancer Foundation in 2020
through my High School. After this drive I knew I wanted to be more involved with ECF. I applied for the
ECF Junior Board in 2021 and have been serving since I was honored with my acceptance. The work
Emmanuel Cancer does is extremely inspiring and I am so happy I can be a part of their journey. At
Villanova I am involved in the Special Olympics and Business in Entertainment Society. I love to dance,
watch TV, and try new restaurants. I am looking forward to the upcoming year and making changes with
this great organization.
T.J.
Special Assignments
Hi all! My name is TJ Walsh and I am originally from Westfield, NJ. I am currently a freshman
biochemistry major at the University of Notre Dame. I was introduced to the Emmanuel Cancer
Foundation during my tenure as 2021 State Treasurer for the New Jersey Association of Student Councils.
I got to meet the wonderful ECF team who was so passionate about this organization that it immediately
made me want to get involved. After hearing some of the moving stories about the people helped by ECF,
I wanted to do my part to support the amazing work that ECF does for pediatric cancer patients and their
loved ones. I am thrilled to be on the second Jr. Board of Trustees and continue the amazing work being
done!
Isabella
Special Assignments
Hi, my name is Isabella. I am seventeen years old, and currently a senior at Hanover Park High School. I love theatre and performing in every aspect. I am the Treasurer of my school’s choir and a Chamber Singer, as well as a Varsity Golf player. I am also actively involved in my school’s community as Student Council President and a representative of our NHS. I am so excited to be a member of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Junior Board of Trustees, especially because I am able to work with so many incredible people to support a cause that is beyond worthy!
Riley
Special Assignments
My name is Riley, and I am from Wyckoff, NJ. I am a sophomore at Immaculate Heart Academy. I was introduced to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation through one of their social workers. As I learned more about ECF and their mission, I couldn’t wait to get involved. I’m involved in several clubs at IHA, my church’s youth group, and run cross country & track. I am so excited to be a part of the Junior Board!
Mia
Special Assignments
My name is Mia! I’m a junior at Westfield High in New Jersey. I pride myself in being a leader in many different areas, but most specifically in all-star cheerleading. Volunteering for ECF has allowed me to give back to the community which has given me so much, and has also allowed me to honor my grandfather who passed away from pancreatic cancer. ECF’s mission is so important, and I’m so blessed that I get to be a part of it!
Anastasia
Junior Trustee
Hi! My name is Anastasia, and I am currently a senior at Henry P. Becton Regional High School! Within my school, I take honors courses as well as dual enrollment courses! I'm a part of 12 clubs thus far with many leadership roles. Some of which include: Student Council officer; Peer Leader; Key Club treasurer; JV and Varsity Debate Jude; Harvard, Yale, and Penn Model Congress; Secretary and Treasurer of the Culinary/ProStart Competition Club; Performing arts; and Girls Helping Girls! I'm also a member of the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society. On top of all of this, I'm a Varsity Tennis player as well as a Junior Commissioner on the Status of Women for Bergen County NJ! I have attended Camp College North and Girls Career Institute. At GCI, I was introduced to ECF. Ever since that day, I gained a strong connection to help this committee and the children who need someone. I love being there for others, so finding out that I, as a 17 year old in high school, can be on a board and make a difference in a child’s life and even their families life, sparked a flame inside of me. This team means a lot to me and I have everyone to thank for this opportunity!