Union County Review

Sandy Goodman, a Kean University alumna, has turned her life's dedication and resilience into a mission to honor her late daughter, Jennifer Goodman Linn. Jennifer co-founded Cycle for Survival, the official rare cancer fundraiser of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), over 15 years ago. Sandy and her husband now volunteer with the organization Jennifer launched in 2007 before she passed away from sarcoma at age 40.

“She said, ‘Think big. We can make it happen,’” Goodman recalled. “Since then, we’ve raised nearly $400 million for rare cancer research.”

Cycle for Survival is run by MSK and directs all donations to research while sharing findings with the scientific community. The nonprofit was founded by Jennifer and her husband, Dave Linn. It hosts fundraising events at Equinox gyms in 15 U.S. cities where volunteers gather to express both heartbreak and hope.

“This is Jennifer’s legacy, and we promised her we would never abandon it,” Sandy Goodman stated. “It's bittersweet but wonderful because in speaking to groups, schools, and companies around the country, we meet fascinating people, and it keeps us sharp while we're doing something for mankind.”

Mark Macaluso joined Cycle for Survival 13 years ago after losing his daughter to a rare cancer. He has witnessed Goodman's efforts firsthand.

“Sandy pours her heart, soul, passion and finesse into getting people to join the battle against cancer,” Macaluso said. “The countless families whose loved ones have benefited from this organization’s incredible fundraising efforts owe so much to Sandy and her family.”

Katie Klein of MSK praised Jennifer's parents as vital contributors to Cycle for Survival's success.

“Sandy’s dedication to supporting Memorial Sloan Kettering through Cycle for Survival is unmatched,” Klein noted. “She continues to honor her late daughter Jennifer’s extraordinary legacy by dedicating countless hours to sharing information about Cycle for Survival and fundraising through her team to support rare cancer research at MSK.”

Goodman credits her teaching background with preparing her for public speaking engagements at Cycle for Survival events. She holds a B.A. in education from Trenton State College and an M.A. from Kean University.

“I learned to stand on my feet and speak my mind and yet be a listening ear,” she reflected.

Her first teaching job in Newark left a lasting impression on Goodman as she learned about love and culture from her students.

Another memorable experience was being sent by the State Department to Siberia as part of a Hands Across the Water delegation where she shared insights on American education.

Pat Ippolito of Kean University recognized Goodman with Livingston UNICO’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2017.

“I noted then that they have honored the courage and commitment of their daughter, Jennifer," Ippolito said. "Sandy and Len truly embody the motto ‘service above self.’”