'Annietober' Cancer Events Help Honor Livingston Woman Who Died At 20

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Annie Eisner began selling cookies to help out a Livingston cancer charity when she was only 9 — unaware that when she became a teenager, she'd be diagnosed with cancer herself.

Eisner, who passed away this past August at age 20, had gotten involved in the local cancer charity Cycle for Survival through her mom, Jodi Eisner of Livingston. Cycle for Survival was founded by a different Livingston resident who'd passed away from a rare cancer in 2011.

In January of 2020, as Annie was preparing for another "cookie season" to help out the charity, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. She received three years of treatment before she passed away, according to Cycle for Survival.

Last month, the Livingston Town Council voted to designate this month "Annietober" — not just in Annie Eisner's memory, but to highlight a series of events in which the public and local businesses can participate to raise funds for more cancer research and help those currently fighting cancer.

Public Can Help Through Donating, Volunteering, Or Swabbing

Annie herself loved the month of October, which is her birthday month. She would have turned 21 this week.

Among the events this month are several bone marrow swab drives, to seek compatible bone marrow donors for those currently battling cancer.

"460 swabs in 6 weeks, and SO many more drives in the works! Message us to find out how you can run a swab drive - it’s very simple and can save lives," noted mom Jodi Leavitt Eisner on Instagram this week.

Local businesses and restaurants are also running specials to contribute funds, including selling Annie's favorite salad and cookies.

You can check out a calendar of events here and learn about where the money from the "Annie's Army" causes will go.

You can find out about sales of Annie's Cookies here.

Annie graduated from Livingston High School in 2021 and went to Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications, as she hoped to work in PR.

She passed away on Aug. 25, and is survived by her parents and a sister. Find out more about her and how to get involved on the Annietober webpage here.

If you're interested in hosting a donation event, swab drive, or other Annietober event, contact Jodi ([email protected]).