A group working to raise $200,000 for a local man fighting a rare form of brain cancer says it is about halfway to its fundraising goal, and that an upcoming event should help add to the growing effort.

On March 20, Fight for Frank – a group set up to help Mahwah High School grad Frank Chamberlin and his family – will host a dinner and auction fundraiser at the Venetian in Garfield.

According to organizers, the items up for auction are impressive, and include trips to Costa Rica, Florida and Las Vegas, signed sports memorabilia, golf outings, Broadway tickets, sporting event and television talk show recording tickets, over 100 gift certificates and items donated by local merchants.

“We are really excited about our auction line up and feel that there is something for everyone,” Fight for Frank member, and longtime friend of the Chamberlins, Courtney Matonti, said.

Chamberlin is well known in Mahwah - he played football all four years at Mahwah High School, graduated in 1996, and went on to play in college and for five years in the NFL. After his stint in the NFL, Chamberlin and his wife, Lisa - another MHS grad - moved back to Mahwah. The couple and their three young kids recently moved to Wyckoff.

Last January, Chamberlin, 34, was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma (Grade III Glioma), a severe form of brain cancer. Chamberlin underwent surgery that partially removed the tumor, but was left with ongoing seizures and significant speech impairment.

Frank hasn’t given up. He recently returned from Germany where he started receiving immunotherapy treatments.

To help pay for the travel and treatment costs associated with the therapy, friends formed 'Fight for Frank,’ an online donation page where friends and community members can donate money.

Tickets to the dinner and auction fundraiser at the Venetian in Garfield on March 20 are $120 per person, $200 per couple. Get more information about the event on the ‘Fight for Frank’ website.

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