PARSIPPANY – 12-year-old Hannah Cerullo of Parsippany, arrived at Jersey Mike’s Subs, 346 Route 10 in East Hanover on Friday, March 1, completely unaware that her wish, granted by Make-A-Wish New Jersey, is about to come true.
Hannah, a seventh grade student at Brooklawn Middle School, is the daughter of Jill and Michael Cerullo. Hannah’s two brothers, Austin and Nathan, joined in the celebration. Hannah was diagnosed with cancer, which spread from her kidneys to her liver and lungs. This brave young warrior underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments and is now cancer free.
Television cameras from a few New York stations as well as NJ News 12 were rolling during the surprise and caught all the action. Hannah was featured on the evening news on Friday, March 1.
Surprised by dozens of guests including friends and family, Jersey Mike’s Subs staff, Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers, and other wish families, Hannah was surprised with the exciting news that her wish to travel to Costa Rica and see monkeys in the wild has been granted, and she will depart on her trip in just two short weeks. Upon receiving the news, Hannah was greeted by cheers from her dozens of supporters onsite for her special day.
The surprise wish reveal celebration was hosted by Jersey Mike’s Subs, in honor of the official start of their annual Month of Giving campaign. For the third consecutive year, Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout northern, central and coastal New Jersey will join forces with Make-A-Wish New Jersey throughout the month of March, raising vital funds needed for the organization’s mission to create life-changing wishes for children, like Hannah, with critical illnesses.
Hannah’s wish reveal was announced by staff members from Jersey Mike’s Subs, including Chris Sutton, store manager and a wish brother. Chris’ brother was granted a wish by Make-A-Wish New Jersey nearly 20 years ago. Being able to play a role in granting other children’s wishes through the Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving campaign has become a highlight for Chris that he looks forward to each year.
Hannah received all the details of her upcoming trip followed by a fun-filled sandwich-making challenge between Hannah and her wish coordinator from Make-A-Wish – with the expert assistance from Chris Sutton and the Jersey Mike’s Subs team, too.
Jersey Mike’s Subs will donate to Make-A-Wish Foundation 100% of the proceeds from all sales on Wednesday, March 27 … Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving.” Hannah will return from her Costa Rica vacation just in time for the “Day of Giving.”
Hannah’s parents Jill and Michael Cerullo are Boonton High School graduates.
