Susan G. Komen North Jersey honors local volunteer

By Ginny Privitar
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ West Milford resident Judy Swajger received the Susan G. Komen North Jersey Affiliate's 2017 New Volunteer Award at their Volunteer Recognition Tea on Nov. 19 at Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains.
Ten volunteers were honored for different contributions. Swajger's award recognizes an individual who has made an exemplary commitment to volunteering on behalf of the Affiliate and has demonstrated an exceptional passion for assisting with the Affiliate’s mission and fight against breast cancer.
Swajger's journey began two years ago. She had breast cancer in April 2015.
"They caught my cancer early. I had surgery and recovered quickly and felt very lucky. I had great health care and a great prognosis," she said. "I wanted at that point -- and I think many people who have been through a similar ordeal, want to figure out a way to help."
Skills, personalities matched to job About a year ago, she called the Susan B. Komen organization. "I met the greatest group of women there who made it very easy to get involved and stay involved," she said. "They do a great job with volunteers in terms of matching skills and personality to the work that needs to get done." They are very supportive of their volunteers, too, she added.
At the group's Pink Tie Party this past April, Swajger helped with registration and organizing items for auction. She also volunteered at the 10th Annual Race for the Cure in Jersey City, the organization's main fundraiser.
According to Komen's publicist Kathi Edelson Wolder, Swajger "Knocked our socks off" with all she did, including taking on decorating the interior of the survivor tent at the race. "The tent looked amazing," Wolder said,
Swajger and her friend Theresa Kelly gathered up their families and together set up the tent and decorated the interior. They also participated in the race. Kelly, with the help of the group, created floral centerpieces that wowed everyone who saw them. Kelly and Swajger donated the flowers and their time. Every table had a silver vase filled with a mix of carnations, eucalyptus and white and silver hand-painted branches. Inspirational sayings were tied to the branches.
Odds of getting breast cancer staggering"You realize when you go through this -- there’s so many women -- one in eight (who get cancer)," Swajger said. She characterized it as a staggering number and related she knows many breast cancer survivors. "I have three daughters; I look at them and don’t want them to face the same odds," she said.
She volunteers to help other women and to raise money to find a cure, but adds, "It’s also a tremendous gift to me, to meet and work with the men and women at Susan B. Komen. You see hands-on how much they do for the community."
Swajger owns her own marketing agency. She and her husband Keith have three children: Kate, 21; Julia, 19; and Erin 16.