Livingston High School Junior Helps Combat Diabetes

Recently, Livingston resident Tim Cece was posed with a dilemma.

Every year Cece, a Livingston High School junior, and his family participate in the Walk to Cure Diabetes, an annual event that raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to fund type 1 diabetes research.

Unfortunately, this year's walk happened to fall on the same weekend as a camping trip. Cece, a type 1 diabetic himself, was disappointed that he wouldn't be able to partake in the event. As it turns out, however, the timing couldn't have worked out better.

In addition to helping raise funds for JDSF, Cece is also a member of the Boy Scouts of America and has been for the past 10 years. Around the same time, Cece found himself trying to come up with an idea for his Eagle Scout Leadership service project.

The project is one of the many requirements that must be met in order to become an Eagle Scout, the highest level of rank in the organization. The rules are simple; the project must not be for profit and cannot benefit the Boy Scouts of America in any way, he explained.

For his project Cece choose an innovative approach to supporting his cause by meshing his interest in the Scouts with his passion for music and stage.

On Saturday, Jan. 7, Cece will host an arts showcase appropriately titled "Strummin' for a Cure" from 5:30-9 p.m. in the Livingston High School auditorium.

The event will feature performances by some of the best up-and-coming music acts Northern New Jersey has to offer — including Castles, Chromatic Funk, Nardo, Condrad, Wolfman & the Pack, Thats Rugby and Whale Hospital. 

The event has a personal touch to it as all of the bands are friends of Cece. "This is a really special event for me so I wanted to share it with people that would understand it was important, and not just another gig," he said.

Cece promises there is something for everyone's tastes. "As long as you like music, you'll love the set that's lined up."

In total, Cece has personally logged over 100 hours since he began work on the project back in September. "I have filled about two and a half yellow legal pads with ideas, thoughts, plans, sketches and designs," he said.

Cece noted, however, that the event couldn't have been possible without the help from so many different members of the community. In particular, he expressed gratitude towards Livingston Police Chief Craig Handshuch for donating security to the show and to Principal Mark Stern for allowing him to use the high school's auditorium as a venue.

Lastly, he recognized his fellow friends and classmates, who have supported him from the beginning. "All of my friends have helped out in some way, by hanging posters, making commercials, or simply pressing the "attending" button on our Facebook page".

Admission to the show is $5 although larger donations are encouraged. All proceeds raised from the event will go towards the purchase of items requested by the Juvinelle Diabetes Research Foundation. Since its inception in 1970, the organization has raised more than $1.6 billion to fund type 1 diabetes research.

For more information on "Strummin' For A Cure," visit the event's official Facebook page here.

Editor's Note: Those who are unable to attend Saturday's performance can still make a donation through the mail to the following address:

ATTN: SFAC
Amedeo Ciminnisi
Livingston High School
30 Robert Harp Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039