Synergy Collects Donations For Camp Happy Times
The Garden State Invitational takes place July 20 in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
If you’ve attended an independent wrestling event in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware over the past decade, you’ve probably seen Ryan Torok.
Referred to as Ref Ryan T, he has officiated over 2,000 matches in promotions such as House of Hardcore, Game Changer Wrestling and WrestlePro. A diehard fan happy to just be part of the business, he can often be seen greeting folks at the concession stand, sweeping the ring in between matches or handing out fliers after the show. He’s also as tough as any of the competitors you’ve ever seen.
Torok was diagnosed with leukemia at 4 years old. As he lied in the hospital bed, his doctor brought up pro wrestling, knowing that the youngster was a big fan. “Who are some bad guys,” the doc asked. “Undertaker and Yokozuna,” Torok replied. “Who is your favorite wrestler?” “Hulk Hogan.” The doctor went on to explain that Torok had some bad guys inside of him that he would have to defeat.
“I figured if I took the vitamins that Hulk Hogan had, I would beat cancer,” Torok recalled as he shared his story during the Garden State Invitational press conference, presented by Synergy Pro Wrestling.
After a three-year battle, Torok had his raised in victory. He has been in remission for over 20 years, grateful to be a cancer survivor and eager to help others in their own battles. That’s why he’ll be a counselor this year at Camp Happy Times, a one-week overnight camp for people ages 5-21 who have or had cancer.
For more than 35 years, over 150 children have gathered at the 200-acre Tyler Hill Camp in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. Rock wall climbing, tubing, swimming, basketball, tennis, and arts and crafts are just some of the activities for campers. Transportation, meals and on-site medical care are all provided free of charge.
Torok attended Camp Happy Times for 15 years, having such a life-changing experience that he and his friends have the camp’s logo tattooed on their backs. “Even though this place means the world to me, the dream is that one day there are no more kids going to this camp anymore because it’s not needed,” he said.
This year’s camp runs from August 19-25, and Torok is looking for supplies that campers forget. Everything from footwear to toiletries to toys – all new and unused – is appreciated. Attendees are encouraged to bring their donations to the Garden State Invitational and Cash Bar WrestleParty on July 20 at the Polish Falcons Nest in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
“If you’re looking for a great time of pro wrestling with the best wrestlers from around the world, come here to Synergy,” Torok said. “Build this brand and give back to people who need it.”
Camp Happy Times is sponsored by The Valerie Fund, which provides individualized care to children at medical centers close to home. Ed and Sue Goldstein spent most of their daughter Valerie’s short life traveling from their home in New Jersey to New York City, where the most advanced pediatric cancer treatment was in their area. For six years, the Goldsteins made the 90-minute drive on a daily basis, bringing Valerie to chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, doctor’s appointments and emergency visits. The travel disrupted their work schedules and family life – many times they’d have to leave their other young daughter Stacy at home with babysitters.
Envisioning a place that could provide families with regional outpatient treatment centers at top pediatric hospitals within an hour’s drive of most of New Jersey’s population, the Goldsteins opened the first Valerie Fund Center in 1977 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey, just one year after Valerie passed away.
2019 Garden State Invitational takes place Saturday, July 20, at the Polish Falcons Nest in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
For tickets and more information, visit synergywrestling.ticketbud.com.
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You can watch all of Synergy’s past events on independentwrestling.tv. If you don’t have a subscription, you use the promo code “SYNERGY” and the first 20 days are free.
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