Newswise — Hackensack Meridian Health Meridian Health Foundation is pleased to announce its 20th Anniversary Gala, honoring Peter Cancro, founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc., will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. at New Jersey’s iconic historical venue, Ellis Island. This signature fundraising event benefits Hackensack Meridian Health’s not-for-profit hospitals and community health programs in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.

Peter Cancro has been involved with Hackensack Meridian Health for several years, serving as chair of Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation and leading record-breaking fundraising efforts resulting in more than $25 million raised for both Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. He also chaired the annual Jersey Shore Golf Classic until he completed his term on the Board last year.

“We are thrilled to honor Peter Cancro during our 20th Anniversary Meridian Health Foundation Gala,” shares John K. Lloyd, FACHE, co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Peter has been a tremendous partner of ours for over a decade. He has made a difference in the lives of countless patients through his personal and professional philanthropy and exudes generosity in every facet of his life. Peter is incredibly deserving of this recognition.”

As founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc., Cancro oversees the franchise’s 1,500 locations that are open and under development. For the past seven years, Jersey Mike’s locations designated a “Month of Giving” national fundraising campaign, raising over $18 million for local charities since the campaign’s inception.

“Giving back and making a difference in someone’s life has always been a guiding principle in my personal life and at Jersey Mike’s,” explains Cancro. “I’m proud to help support something as hugely important as health care, and feel confident that through Hackensack Meridian Health my family, friends and the staff at our local Jersey Mike’s all have access to excellent, quality care, right in their backyards.”

The 20th Anniversary Gala will feature reception-style seating and comfortable lounge furniture, no formal table assignments, a delicious menu with an array of hors d’oeuvres, tapas and stations, and black tie attire.

“The Gala is our biggest event of the year,” explains Joseph Stampe, president and chief development officer of Meridian Health Foundation. “It provides an incredible platform to engage with our steadfast supporters, and raise critical funds for our hospitals in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. I am thrilled we’ll be honoring our long time donor, friend and volunteer, Peter Cancro.”

The Gala is generously supported by Title Sponsors, Envision Physician Services and Jersey Mike’s Subs, Cocktail Reception Sponsors, T.D. Bank and TeamHealth, Decoration Sponsors, Coastal Imaging, Crothall and Morrison Healthcare, Meridian Laboratory Physicians, Meridian Medical Group-Primary Care, Monmouth Family Medicine Group, Morris Anesthesia Group, OceanFirst and Vee TechnologiesUSA, and Entertainment Sponsor, C.R. Bard, Inc. To make reservations, learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets, please visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Gala or contact Michelle Casserly, director of special events, at [email protected] or 732.751.5112.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 13 hospitals, including two academic medical centers, two children's hospitals and nine community hospitals, physician practices, more than 120 ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and urgent care and after-hours centers. Hackensack Meridian Health has 28,000 team members, more than 6,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The Network's notable distinctions include having one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more consecutive years, the number one hospital in New Jersey as ranked by U.S. News and World Report, consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, a six-time recipient of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For," one of the "20 Best Workplaces in Health Care" in the nation, and the number one "Best Place to Work for Women." Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

The hospitals of Hackensack Meridian Health include: academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune; children's hospitals – Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; community hospitals – Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org. ABOUT HACKNESACK MERIDIAN HEALTH MERIDIAN HEALTH FOUNDATION Meridian Health Foundation drives transformational philanthropic support for Hackensack Meridian Health’s hospitals and partner companies in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex counties including: Jersey Shore University Medical Center, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, Ocean Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, Southern Ocean Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center – Perth Amboy and Old Bridge. Currently in the Foundation’s first comprehensive campaign, Giving Heals, more than $55 million has been raised with funding priorities dedicated to oncology, enhancing the patient experience, broadening clinical research and academic programs, and improving clinical outcomes. Meridian Health Foundation has consistently been named a “High Performer” by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy for its exemplary performance in fundraising. For more information visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/GivingHeals.