Friday, July 2

It’s been quite a while since Jim Kiraly has been in his own home…actually his current residence is a Care One facility in Jackson. A longshoreman by trade he has spent the last 14 months dealing with cancer and the physical setbacks that often come with fighting the disease. It all started on Good Friday in 2009 during which Jim and his family participated in the Lakewood Elks annual fish fry. He, his wife Denise and high-school aged children, Cindy and Jim Jr. were regulars when it came to cooking at Elks Lodge #1432 and often they would even by joined by Jim’s parents. The time and effort did not go unnoticed and Kiraly received the 2008-09 Elk of the Year award.

Anyway back to last year’s fish fry in which the burly motorcycle enthusiast was complaining about pain in his hip which sent him to the doctor a few days later. The diagnosis was multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. Trips to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for radiation and chemo were trying on both Jim and Denise. Eventually he began losing weight and his hair and would be admitted to the hospital where he suffered a series of set-backs, including viruses and an infection. Treatments made his bones so brittle that he both broke his shoulders while simply trying to sit up.

There has been a ray of hope in the form of stem cell transplant therapy which has improved his numbers and outlook and Big Jim appears to be making progress. However just a few weeks ago a power outage near his home resulted in the water pump being damaged beyond repair. During this time the family has been getting their water from a hose connection to a neighbor’s house.

For all he has done on behalf of the Lakewood Elks they and Jim’s many friends would like to give back. A benefit will be held on Saturday, July 10th at the Bayville Elks Lodge on Route 9 beginning at 4pm. The event will feature a buffet dinner, beer, live music, giveaways and more. All proceeds will benefit the Kiraly family and advance tickets are $30. For information you can stop in or call the Lakewood Elks Lodge on Kennedy Boulevard…the number is (732) 363-9572.