'Rally' Expanding for Teen With Brain Cancer

The ongoing support for Glenn Lightner, a 13-year-old Long Valley resident battling brain cancer overseas, continues to expand, as dozens of businesses and organizations have donated resources to the , which will take place April 28 at .

The building can hold 250 people for the event, and Dorene Rettas–an organizer for the Rally–said they’re hoping for a minimum of 200 attendees.

Current ticket sales have eclipsed 140, Rettas said. Tickets are $50, pre-sale only, and include dinner, drinks and entertainment. A silent auction will also take place during the event.

“It’s amazing how many donors have supported this event,” Rettas said. “The list is incredible and this event is going to be great because of it.”

All net proceeds from the event will benefit the Lightner family, Rettas said. Glenn, his mother Silvia and father Larry are currently in Belgium undergoing alternative treatment to cure his brain cancer.

The teen was diagnosed with anapestic ependymoma grade III brain cancer in December of 2007, and has had five surgeries to remove tumors since that time.

After not receiving the medical treatment they had hoped for in the U.S., the Lightners decided to go abroad and seek alternative medicine. None of the expenses they’re incurring will be covered by health insurance, however.

Friends and neighbors began a fundraising effort for Lightner at the beginning of March this year, and have since raised more than $76,000, according to www.cureforglenn.com.

To find out more about Lightner’s journey, visit Long Valley Patch’s topic page with all articles about the teen’s battle with cancer.

Attached to this article is a PDF of the list of donors participating in the Rally in the Valley event.

For more information about the Rally in the Valley event, or how you can help, contact Dorene Rettas at 973-713-1097.