“A Role Model For Courage”

Drew O’Donoghue of Whitehouse Station passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2014 after a year-long battle with adrenocortical cancer. He was 22.

Drew graduated from Hunterdon Central High School in 2010 where he was selected into the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society, received the Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar award and AP Scholar award with Distinction. He was honored to be selected as captain of the varsity basketball team, was named to the 1st team All-County, the County Tournament All-Star team, 2nd team All-Skyland Conference, Honorable mention All-Area, 3rd Team All West Jersey and lead the county in 3-point field goals and named the team’s MVP. In addition he was selected as Varsity Scholar Athlete for the 2009 and 2010 teams. Drew was a gifted student, a talented musician, and former high school athlete. He enjoyed playing piano, and he composed and recorded several original pieces of music. He was most recently a senior at Villanova School of Business, where he majored in finance and accounting with a minor in Chinese.

He was on pace to graduate Magna Cum Laude in 2014. He achieved Dean’s List each semester at Villanova and was selected and honored to join both the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in May 2013. Throughout his college experience he participated in many philanthropic events, was an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and an avid Wildcat basketball and lacrosse fan. In 2011 Drew studied at Fudan University, Shanghai, China where he attended courses in international business and traveled throughout the country. During his stay in China, he worked as an intern at a major global marketing firm.

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC), a rare and aggressive cancer, strikes only about 1,000 people a year in the U.S. Drew, while fighting his own fight against this challenging disease, extended his war against adrenal cancer. He has most recently endorsed a newly created endowment fund to keep the fight focused and strong. This fund, in his name, has been developed and designed to fund research specifically related to ACC, as well as for the patients and families affected by this cancer. The effort resides at the University of Michigan Health System. Funds raised for the Drew O’Donoghue Fund will be used to support the faculty, research, patients and other needs of the Adrenal Cancer Program. Additionally, the hope is to use these funds to promote the coordination of resources, studies, communication and patient care between the University of Michigan and other institutions across the country, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where Drew was being treated.  To donate online to the Drew O’Donoghue Fund, go to http://victors.us/drewodonoghue

Each year we will honor and remember Drew by awarding the Most Outstanding Player In The Tournament Award in his memory  to a member of a participating team. God Bless Drew Always!!!!

2014 Winner

Lauren Wimsat  Readington Township 8th Grade Girls

2015 Winner

Jacqueline Cornetta  Readington Township 8th Grade Girls

2016 Winner

Alexa Santo Long Hill Township 8th Grade Girls

2017 Winner

Brian Johansson Readington Township 8th Grade Boys

2018 Winner

Conner Hercek Readington Township 8th Grade Boys

2020 Winner

Meher Vig South Brunswick Vikings 8th Grade Girls