Music legend starts program to help local teen

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora is coming back to his hometown to give back. He has launched the "You Can Go Home" program to help Woodbridge High School graduate Kelly Mahon, who has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, come home for the holidays. The launch of "You Can Go Home" is inspired by Bon Jovi's song "Who Says You Can't Go Home," which Sambora co-wrote.

PHOTO COURTESY MATTHEW MAHON Woodbridge High School graduate Kelly Mahon, 19, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007, poses for a picture with her 5-year-old sister, Tara. Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora launched the "You Can Go Home" program to help Kelly come home for the holidays. Kelly is 19 years old and is at the Hartwick Rehabilitation Center, which is part of JFK Medical Center on Oak Tree Road in Edison. Prior to the rehabilitation center, she was treated at the PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.

The goal of the program, Sambora stated in a press release, is to have Kelly home for Thanksgiving. The musician learned of Mahon's plight through friends in the community. He has personally raised $75,000 for Kelly.

"I am excited to launch this program, which will assist Kelly to come home, help her family, and involve the young people in Woodbridge Township and other communities by rewarding their community service," he said.

Matthew Mahon, Kelly's father, said it was great to have Sambora involved in raising funds for Kelly.

"He first became involved last year with Bon Jovi, where they auctioned off [seat and guitar] packages on the radio station WPLJ coinciding with their 2008 New York shows," he said. "[Sambora] is a great guy and a local guy."

Kelly's battle with the brain tumor started in October 2007. It was the beginning of her senior year of high school, she was president of the International Culture Club, and she was on track to attend Rutgers University on an academic scholarship when she was diagnosed with the tumor. Her family learned that she was accepted to RU when she was already in the hospital.

"In the beginning, her life was in the balance," said Mahon. "Over these past two years, she has made a lot of improvements."

Mahon said that with the partnership of Joe DeAndrea's architectural firm, the Woodbridge Housing Authority and the township's Tooling Around the Township organization, they were able to construct handicap ramps and a new addition to their home.

"Right now we are putting the finishing touches on the addition, which will be used by Kelly," said Mahon.

Over the past two years, various fundraisers have been held for Kelly. In January 2009, the Mahons received a specially equipped van from Bob Ziemer's family. Ziemer had passed away, and his wife, Karen, heard about Kelly and contacted the Mahons through the hospital. Karen also repaired the van for the Mahons.

Mahon said he, his wife MaryAnn and their daughter Tara, 5, are preparing to care for Kelly at their home.

"This will be a whole new thing," he said. "She needs medication all day. If something comes up at JFK, she is cared for right there; if something is not right at home, we will have to take her to the hospital."

Mahon said his daughter can do very little by herself.

"She can talk, she has movement in her hands and can maneuver around in her chair, she can write and read a book, she can feed herself, and even text-message," Mahon said with a smile. "However, we will have to bathe her, prepare food for her, and change her. Her longterm memory is better than her short-term memory, so we will have to be on top of her medication."

Mahon said his daughter, who is always upbeat, is looking forward to coming home.

"She understands that she will be able to come home soon," he said. "The doctors have told us that she has improved enough to come home and that the stimulation of home might help her improve even more. The prognosis as to the extent of her recovery for the future is unknown."

Sambora said that Bon Jovi fans have always supported their efforts.

"It is my hope that people who contribute will learn and be inspired by Kelly's amazing courage and her very special story," Sambora said. "Before she became ill, her life was all about helping others, and this program will hopefully lead others to 'Go Home' to help.

The approximately 5,200 students at all three township high schools in the township — Colonia, John F. Kennedy Memorial and Woodbridge — will participate in selling the specially designed Keychains For Kelly as a fundraiser through November at a special price of $20, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward the efforts of the "You Can Go Home" program.

The student who sells the most key chains will take part in a special meet-and-greet with Sambora at Woodbridge High School on Nov. 24. WHS is Sambora's alma mater.

Students at WHS will be eligible to win a $5,000 college scholarship through their fundraising efforts during the grassroots campaign of selling the key chains.

Additionally, anyone purchasing a key chain or any other merchandise online at You- CanGoHome.com will be eligible for a drawing to attend the meet-and-greet, win signature memorabilia from Sambora and Bon Jovi, and be entered for the grand prize — an all-expenses paid, all-access trip to see Bon Jovi and Sambora open their "Circle" world tour in Seattle, Wash., on Feb. 19, 2010, and go backstage with Sambora.

The "You Can Go Home" program is the latest in a series of philanthropic efforts by Sambora. He recently donated funds to rebuild the athletic weight room in memory of his father, Adam, at WHS and has been active in other charities ranging from Stand Up For a Cure for cancer research to the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles.

For more information about "You Can Go Home," visit www.youcangohome.com; for more information about Kelly, visit www.careforkelly. us.