The Far Hills Race Meeting Association (FHRMA), host of the nation’s most prestigious steeplechase horse race, has announced a significant $1.25 million financial commitment to the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset.
The transformative gift, announced on Oct. 2, will be devoted specifically to growing and expanding the reach of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association Oncology Patient Assistance Fund. The fund provides vital support to cancer patients, particularly those facing financial hardships, covering costs often not covered by insurance, such as mastectomy supplies, wigs, prostheses, and lymphedema sleeves.
A legacy of health care support
The FHRMA has a long history of supporting healthcare, contributing more than $22 million to RWJUH Somerset over the past 75 years through proceeds from its annual race. The hospital’s state-of-the-art Steeplechase Cancer Center and its Behavioral Health Unit were named in recognition of this ongoing generosity.
The Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, established in 2018 and recently renamed in the association’s honor, has already received nearly $700,000 from the FHRMA. This new $1.25 million commitment, to be dispersed over the next six years, aims to ensure the sustainability of the program for the future.
Focusing on dignity and recovery
The fund is critical in removing financial barriers so patients can concentrate on treatment. As FHRMA Chairman Ron Kennedy stated, the association is proud to “increase our financial support of a program that’s near and dear to our hearts… so that they can focus on what’s most important – fighting their cancer with dignity and grace.”
The assistance goes beyond medical supplies. It helps cover living expenses like groceries and filling medications, and critically, addresses transportation insecurity. On average, the fund provides 1,500 rides each year for cancer patients, eliminating concerns over gas, parking, tolls, or ride-share fares for those in need.
Deirdre Blaus, chief administrative officer of RWJUH Somerset, emphasized the impact: “This $1.25 million commitment… cements a legacy of giving back to the community. It’s a testament to the association’s compassion and dedication to improving healthcare with tangible results.”
The 104th running of the Far Hills Race Meeting, which has raised over $22 million for local healthcare to date, is scheduled for Oct. 18th.
