About

The work of NJIC3 responds to the complexity of cancer in our families and communities through individual, congregational, and systemic engagement, support, and advocacy. NJIC3 seeks to address the spiritual, emotional, social, and practical needs of those dealing with cancer, using tools drawn from the areas of contemplation, collaboration, and care.

For more information on specific offerings, see the “Our services” pages.

History

The New Jersey Interfaith Center for Cancer Care is a program created to honor the legacy of beloved community member, Franco Juricic. Franco was a long time Merck employee who died suddenly of pancreatic cancer in 2019. Franco attended New Brunswick Theological seminary during his final 10 years at Merck, studying at night. He learned so much after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis 10 years prior about caring for those with the disease. He retired from Merck in June 2018, excited to pursue full-time his passion for ministry. He was to be ordained the very day that, instead, we performed his funeral.

Franco dreamed of starting a ministry for cancer care. Utilizing the strength of faith communities collaborating through a non-profit community development corporation, we are poised to make good on Franco’s dream.

Staff

Austin Morreale,

Community Engagement Coordinator

In addition to his role with NJIC3, Austin is the Service Director for NeighborCorps Re-Entry Services, a small, community-based non-profit program located in Highland Park, NJ that supports individuals who have a history of involvement with the carceral system in Middlesex County. He also works on a per diem capacity in the guest services department of a sub-acute rehabilitation facility. He has a BA in English from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and is a graduate of Portfolio Center in Atlanta, GA, where he participated in their advertising copywriting program. He has worn many hats over the years, including (but not limited to) that of a writer in the advertising industry, a general manager of a dog daycare and boarding facility, an assistant front office manager of a hotel, and a hotel business travel sales manager.

Austin serves as the vice-chair for the Highland Park Human Relations Commission, runs a discussion and activity group for local LGBTQ+ youth, and is on the Reformed Church of Highland Park’s consistory. His interests include history, reading, writing, dogs, soccer, music, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Austin lives in Highland Park with his wife, their two daughters, and their deaf pitbull, Poe.

Nobuko Hori,

Project Collaborator

Nobuko joined NJIC3 in 2022. She has over 5 years of healthcare experience in both administrative and clinical roles at Penn Medicine at Princeton and Boulder Community Health, and completed her first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education with Penn Medicine at Princeton in 2018. She was a caregiver for her mother with breast cancer in 2016. Nobuko has practiced Zen Buddhism for over 15 years and trained in residence at San Francisco Zen Center from 2018-2020. She is passionate about the intersectional liberation of marginalized humans, non-human animals, and our Mother Earth. She holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and will begin graduate studies at Union Theological Seminary in the fall of 2022, in the Buddhism and Interreligious Engagement Program. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with the climate justice group Extinction Rebellion, gardening, singing, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Surabhi Panda,

Intern

Surabhi is a computer engineering student at Rutgers University and an intern with NJIC3. She has been helping with designing and coordinating our social media channels (make sure to follow us on instagram and facebook), facilitating our book club (Wednesdays at 6 PM – please join us!), and is currently working to create an interfaith cancer-care youth group. Surabhi was matched with NJIC3 through a fellowship at Rutgers and has since fallen in love with the purpose and purpose-driven people of NJIC3 who are working wholeheartedly to support those dealing with cancer. She is also currently fascinated by mindfulness and learning how to meditate.