For most people, a cruise to Bermuda is a vacation. For Ted Friedli, it was a mission.
Fifteen years ago, the Long Branch-based travel agency owner co-founded Kick Cancer Overboard—a grassroots nonprofit that gives free cruises to people affected by cancer. The idea was born from a simple but powerful question: What if we could give someone battling cancer not just a trip, but a true escape—from hospital visits, from bills, from fear?
Ted’s inspiration was personal. A close friend, DonnaLyn Giegerich of Red Bank, was diagnosed with cancer at 42 and given a 4% chance of surviving the year. She went on to live 16 more years. Her fight, and her unwavering positivity, became the heartbeat of the cause.
Today, Kick Cancer Overboard has given away nearly 1,000 cruises—most often five-day trips to Bermuda with Royal Caribbean. The only requirements? Recipients must be New Jersey residents and have been affected by cancer in some way. And unlike most charities, 100% of donations go directly to the mission.
“There are no salaries,” Friedli says. “Everyone involved is a volunteer. All funds raised go toward gifting these cruises to those who need them most.”
These aren’t just vacations—they’re lifelines. A moment to rest, recharge and connect with others who understand the weight of the fight.
Each cruise becomes a floating community. Survivors, caretakers, and families come together, sharing stories and strength. The bonds forged at sea often last well beyond the voyage.
The surprises are part of the magic, too. Kick Cancer Overboard doesn’t simply hand out cruises—they create moments of joy. From ambushing unsuspecting nominees with cruise certificates at concerts and salons to staging a front-page-worthy reveal at a marina (yes, they pulled up on a yacht), the organization puts celebration and community front and center.
One of their most successful fundraisers to date? A bracelet.
Inspired by a grandmother, Ester Jordan of Tinton Falls, whose family received a free cruise, the $10 handcrafted bracelet initiative has raised nearly $300,000. Participating businesses sell the bracelets and, in return, get to choose a recipient—often a beloved staff member or local resident. The reveal is always memorable, often involving the entire community.
“When people see the impact they’ve made—right there, in person—it changes everything,” says Friedli.
And the ripple effect is real. An estimated 50% of cruise recipients end up paying it forward. From hosting lemonade stands to launching their own fundraisers, many come back asking, “How can I help someone else feel the way I did?”
This past summer, Kick Cancer Overboard once again surprised someone special. Long Branch musician Jeffier Lamar received a free cruise following a heartfelt proclamation by the mayor at Pier Village. Lamar, a lifelong Long Branch resident, lost his partner to cancer several years ago and has quietly faced other major life setbacks. For Friedli and his team, this is exactly the kind of story they strive to rewrite—one moment of joy at a time.
Looking ahead, Friedli dreams big. He’d love to one day fill an entire cruise ship with families affected by cancer. “That’s the goal,” he says. “We’re not stopping—we’re only getting bigger.”
In a world full of fundraisers and charities, Kick Cancer Overboard stands out for its simplicity and heart. No red tape. No paid staff. Just a mission to give hope, wrapped in ocean breezes and karaoke nights.
Because sometimes, the best medicine isn’t in a bottle—it’s five days at sea, where the biggest decision is whether to hit the buffet or the bingo hall.
To learn more or nominate someone for a free cruise, visit kickcanceroverboard.org
Read more:
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Ester’s Bracelets – kickcanceroverboard.org/esters-bracelet
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Watch Jeffier Lamar’s surprise cruise reveal - facebook.com/jeffierlamar