By Sonia Schnee | Posted Wednesday, March 29, 2017

What's your name, where did you grow up, where are you based now?

I'm Michael Squillace, one of the founding members of Jammin' for Jaclyn. I was raised in Sayreville, NJ and have resided here for 23 years.

What's your background, your personal journey? You're a musician, yes?

My background is in classical music, being a classically trained Clarinetist as well as Saxophonist. I am currently a freelance musician of all genres, play with many bands, and record all over NJ.

What is Jammin' for Jaclyn?

Jammin' for Jaclyn is a Benefit Concert for those who are fighting cancer. We always hold this event towards the end of April. This year's event is on April 29th from 3:30pm-11pm at the Knights of Columbus, 308 4th Street in South Amboy, NJ 08879. There is a $25 minimum donation at the door and 100% of all proceeds go to the beneficiaries. We are linked to a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, RJC Charities Inc.

How did Jammin' for Jaclyn originally get started? What's your role or personal connection to it?

Jammin' for Jaclyn was originally created for my sister, Jaclyn, after she was misdiagnosed twice and finally diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer while she was 5 months pregnant with her first child in 2014. After almost a year in remission, she was back fighting again after cancer cells were found. She has gone through chemotherapy and radiation therapy, a double mastectomy, lumpectomy and Lymphadenectomy. Due to the aggression of her cancer, radiation and chemotherapy do not work. This leaves doctors with only one option and that is surgery to remove the cancer if it is found. She is currently undergoing tests to insure there is no longer cancer in her body.

When she was in remission, we no longer needed to have this benefit for Jaclyn, so we decided to choose a family in our community that really needed help, as the community was so helpful to our Jaclyn. We chose a 2-year-old boy named Wyatt Scott with Neuroblastoma. This year our beneficiaries are Jaclyn Squillace as well as Danielle Sozio. Danielle recently passed, as her cancer was very aggressive. The money that we receive for her will go to any expenses they have accumulated during Danielle and her family's time fighting.

Who will be performing at Jammin' for Jaclyn this year? What can people expect?

The artists performing this year will be: Series of Shocks, John Walsh, Damian and The DCQ, Amber Morgan, John DePalma, The FOG, Rocco and The MOB, Seven Stone, Alternate Groove, Split Decision, and Michael Squillace.

There will be a continuous FREE buffet of hot and cold food throughout the entire afternoon and night. Our food comes from all over the state, and we currently have 31 different eateries donating this year. A 50/50 and a raffle for a $900 laptop will be going around during the night as well, $5 a chance. We currently have 36 sponsors and counting.

Is there anything else you'd like to add to this interview?

Founders:
Ron Morgan, Denise Morgan and Michael Squillace
Event in conjunction with RJC Charities Inc.
*Adults only please

Contact founders at:
732-525-9536
Healthandfitnesswithdenise@gmail.com
JamminforJaclyn.weebly.com
www.facebook.com/JamminforJaclyn

All checks should be made out to RJC Charities Inc. and mailed to Jammin' for Jaclyn, 292 Stevens Avenue, South Amboy, NJ, 08879.

About the Writer

Sonia Schnee is the Founder of JerseyIndie.com. She holds a B.A. in Film & Media Studies from Dartmouth College (Class of '09), is a resident of Mendham, NJ, and has a passion for telling the stories of NJ's creative residents.