BELMAR, NJ — Some lessons are taught in classrooms. Others are taught through courage, compassion, and the simple act of showing up for someone when they need it most.
At Belmar Elementary School, teacher Lu Stierman has taught her colleagues and community a lesson they won't soon forget: When life gets difficult, having people in your corner can make all the difference.
And this Saturday, October 17, those people will be putting on their walking shoes once again.
For the fifth consecutive year, members of the Belmar Education Association, along with family members, friends, and community supporters, will participate in the annual Mary's Place by the Sea Walk-A-Thon in Ocean Grove as part of a team with a name that says it all: "Refuse to Lu's."
The team was created to honor Stierman, a beloved Belmar Elementary School teacher and breast cancer survivor whose journey has brought an entire school community closer together.
In February 2022, Stierman's life changed when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.
What followed was a difficult road filled with chemotherapy, radiation, infections, countless medical appointments, and five surgeries. There were frightening moments, uncertainty, and challenges that no one should have to face alone.
Fortunately, Stierman didn't have to.
"The first few months could not have been navigated without the support of my family, friends, and my school family," Stierman shared. "The school and community rallied and surrounded me with love, support, and nurturing."
And rally they did.
Her colleagues at Belmar Elementary School, members of the Belmar Education Association, and supporters throughout the greater Asbury Park area stepped up. Even iconic Jersey Shore establishments like the Stone Pony and Wonder Bar became part of the network of encouragement surrounding her.
What began as a community supporting one of its own has grown into something much bigger.
Together with fellow educator Kerry White and her colleagues, Stierman helped establish Refuse to Lu's, turning a personal battle with cancer into an opportunity to help other women facing similar challenges.
The team's mission is about more than raising money or completing a walk. It's about celebrating life, recognizing the power of friendship, and reminding women battling cancer that they are not alone.
And there is plenty to celebrate.
On September 6, 2026, Stierman marked the fourth anniversary of her last active cancer treatment, a milestone filled with gratitude and joy.
For someone who has endured so much, every anniversary carries special meaning.
"Mary's Place By the Sea has been an integral part of healing for myself and for so many women in New Jersey and beyond," Stierman said. "It's a peaceful place of solace and renewal."
Located in Ocean Grove, Mary's Place by the Sea provides women with cancer a place to rest, recharge, and focus on their well-being. The nonprofit offers counseling, nutrition education, holistic wellness services, and opportunities for relaxation, all at no cost to the women it serves.
For women navigating the physical and emotional challenges of cancer, that support can be invaluable.
And for Stierman, giving back to the organization that helped her heal has become an annual tradition.
"The walk is an amazing, celebratory event bursting with positive energy and incredible people," she said.
White, a Belmar educator and team captain, said Stierman's story reflects the values that bring educators together both inside and outside the classroom.
"Lu represents everything we stand for as educators—strength, compassion, and community," White said. "Walking for Mary's Place is our way of standing with her and with every woman facing cancer."
There is something especially meaningful about watching teachers, who spend their days caring for other people's children, come together to care for one of their own.
Year after year, Refuse to Lu's has continued to grow in both size and spirit, demonstrating that the support Stierman received during her treatment was never simply a temporary gesture.
It has become a lasting commitment.
Saturday's Walk-A-Thon will take place at the Boardwalk Pavilion in Ocean Grove, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Community members are invited to join the team, cheer on participants, or make a donation to support Mary's Place by the Sea.
Those interested in supporting Refuse to Lu's can visit https://runsignup.com/refuse2026.
For Stierman, the walk is another opportunity to celebrate how far she has come while helping women who are still navigating their own cancer journeys.
And for the Belmar school community, it is another chance to demonstrate something that cannot be measured by a test score or found in a textbook.
Sometimes, the most important lesson is simply being there for each other.