Boy Gets Hero's Welcome After 'Wrestle For A Cure' Fundraiser

SADDLE BROOK, NJ – A 9-year-old township boy recently received a hero’s welcome when he returned home from competing in a charity-wrestling tournament.

After participating in the Pin Cancer “Wrestle For A Cure” National Wrestling Tournament in Easton, Pa. on Aug. 10, Jaiden Spinella and his family arrived back in Saddle Brook only to be completely surprised by what the community had planned for them.

“Wrestle For A Cure” is a national campaign that aims to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research. This year, the tournament raised more than $141,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Prior to traveling to Pennsylvania, Spinella worked to raise nearly $1,000 in donations from VFW Post 3484 of Saddle Brook and the VFW Riders. And, at the tournament, Spinella earned a gold medal in his-50 pound weight class.

Upon his return home, Spinella was greeted by local police officers and firefighters, who gave him an escort to the VFW, where his mother, Tracy, said he collected additional donations to send to St. Jude’s.

“He wanted to wrestle for a cure because of a family history of cancer, a little girl in town who was just diagnosed and just because he has a truly good heart,” she said.

Jaiden, who has been wrestling for about five years, participates in the township’s recreation department program and trains at Bittetto Trained in Teterboro. His love of the sport has also inspired his younger brother, who is almost four, to start wrestling, his mom said.

“The experience was amazing for Jaiden because he knew this tournament was special. He truly loves wrestling and does it all year long, and the experience he had with the town was unbelievable and still has him feeling like he truly did an amazing thing,” she said.

Spinella is still fundraising and donations can be given here.

“I would just love to add that I am so very thankful for everyone who donated and helped him exceed his goal of $1,000,” Tracy Spinella said. “Between his tournament fundraising page and donations from VFW and other people in town he nearly hit $2,000. I also would love to thank the community we live in for their support and everyone who took part in making this day special for him: Chief Kugler, the Saddle Brook Police, Andy Gallo our director of the recreation department, Chief Sloma from the Saddle Brook Fire Department and the volunteers who came along with us, our Mayor Robert White and the VFW.”