Mrs. Joan W. Scher riding Sidesaddle
Photo Courtesy of Rudy Thoren, Esq

Gladstone, New Jersey - September 1 - Hamilton Farms, home of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation Headquarters, will be the location of the “Driving For Surviving” demonstration and luncheon, organized by sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups in honor of Mrs. Joan W. Scher. The festivities will begin at noon on September 18, 2005, while award winning Chef Chris Quintile of the Tewksbury Inn prepares lunch for everyone dining at ringside of the famous Sand Arena in Gladstone.

The “Driving For Surviving” demonstration will be performed by cancer survivors and children who have undergone treatment and now take part in carriage driving through the sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups. SharingVillage Groups was inspired by Joan Scher after she observed the positive effects horses had on those who struggle with physical or mental handicaps. Scher proposed the idea of incorporating cancer support groups along with the equestrian sport of driving to her close friend Shelley Zlotkin. From this idea, sharingVillage was founded by Zlotkin in 1997, and “Driving For Surviving” became a reality.

Scher is an active community member in the New Jersey area who has participated in equestrian activities for years along with her family friend Rudy Thoren. Aside from being a veteran side saddle rider, Scher is extremely involved with driving events and Hunter/Jumper shows. Her sons competed successfully in the Hunter/Jumper discipline and showed on an international level. She is also a life long fox hunter who has her colors for the Essex Fox Hound in New Jersey, the Aiken Fox Hound in South Carolina, and the Palm Beach Hunt in Florida.

From donating ponies to therapeutic riding programs to working with hospitality at shows, Scher takes every opportunity to help others and raise community interest in activities that benefit charitable causes. When asked how she felt about the development of the program, Scher replied with a smile, “Isn’t it wonderful that so many people can be helped?”

“Driving For Surviving” is a Pediatric Oncology Equestrian Carriage Driving Program that is the collaborative effort of a number of different organizations and contributors. SharingVillage works extensively with the Pediatric LITE Program at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Hawk Hollow Ranch in Bedminster, New Jersey, and the United States Equestrian Team Foundation also make up the conglomerate. Through these five contributors, children who were diagnosed and treated for cancer can enjoy a post-treatment lifestyle with horses and a supportive community.

This program addresses their experience physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially through camaraderie and an equestrian program adjusted to their personal medical needs.

The sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups of Far Hills, NJ, is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the well-being of cancer survivors and their families. The organization offers physical and mental services such as meditation, nutrition, yoga, acupuncture, massages, and creative arts therapy. It provides unconditional emotional and spiritual support for the newly diagnosed, to those who have undergone surgery, treatment, or chemotherapy and survived their battle with cancer. The sharingVillage program is designed to be an integrative compliment to medical treatment using compassionate healing.

The survivors’ driving exhibition is choreographed by U.S. World Team Member Sara Schmitt, the Program Coordinator Randy Leone, and the coaches, Candi and Ed Aversenti. Tickets are available for different seating levels at $55.00, $125.00, and $356.00.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is proud to honor such a remarkable and inspirational woman. Her dedication to the community has greatly contributed to the equestrian world, as well as the lives of courageous children battling cancer.

For more information on sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, please visit their website at www.sharingvillage.org or call (908) 234-0334.

For more information about the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, please go to www.uset.org.