As most of you know, last year I had put together a team of
5 runners who collectively raised about $13,000 for Concern Foundation for cancer
research and trained for the NYC Marathon.
Due to unforeseen circumstances with the arrival, destruction and
devastation of Hurricane Sandy, including an estimated 776,000 people displaced
from their homes and over 6 Million people left without power for days, if not
weeks, the NYC Marathon was cancelled for the first time in 42 years.
They weren’t joking when they said, “Mother
Nature is a B****.”
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| ING NYC Marathon Expo when I was still sure the race would go on |
On that Sunday, November 4th, 2012, our scheduled
race day, I grabbed my sister-in-law, a fellow Team Concern runner and a
backpack full of supplies and took to the streets of the shattered Staten
Island with nearly 2,000 other trained marathoners looking for an outlet for
our energy. Our hard work to get that
NYC Marathon finish line had become an afterthought, and we just wanted to help
those who had been affected by the storm.
Some runners made it as far as Oakwood Beach and cleaned out houses that
had been nearly demolished to save trinkets and photos, while some of us
organized an evacuation shelter and offered emotional support to those who were
in temporary shelter. While the
circumstances were so unfortunate, it was one of those days in my life where I
knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be in that moment: representing Concern Foundation, not
necessarily for cancer research, but to show that in times of grief, all
humanitarian support is just as important as the next and no matter what our
chosen cause is to lend relief, sometimes certain philanthropy needs our hands
and our hearts more than others. 2012
was not my year to run the NYC Marathon, but I will never forget that day for
the rest of my life.
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| A family I met at a Staten Island Shelter who had been trapped on their roof for 9 hours until Hurricane Sandy Passed |
That being said, 2013 is a different story.
This year, Concern Foundation is back as an
Official Charity of the NYC Marathon and we have 12 runners with the hope of
collectively raising $50,000 for cancer research.
In 2012 my fundraising efforts were in honor
of my dear friend Alexandra, who at this time last year was battling an
aggressive secondary kind of cancer and being treated by the best oncologists
in the country out of MD Anderson.
To
re-read her story, click here:
http://concernfoundation.blogspot.com/2012/10/running-nyc-for-alexandra.html
This year I am running and fundraising in her honor again,
because for the first time in 7-years, just this past May, Alexandra was told
she is CANCER FREE. I can’t say that
without getting completely choked up.
Treatment and cures don’t come without groundbreaking efforts at the
root of the problem. Alexandra’s news of
being cancer free is a huge moment of pride for the cancer research community,
to know that at some point, somewhere, a young, innovative cancer researcher
like those of which are funded by organizations like Concern Foundation, was
given the chance to explore an idea and now there are cancer survivors because
of it. Alexandra’s life depended on the
research and support of organizations like ours.
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| The day I met Alexandra in 2010 |
So I’m asking you today to support Concern Foundation for
cancer research, our team of runners who are representing this organization in
New York City by running their hearts out, and me, because I wholeheartedly
believe in this organization and the mission we are funding to conquer
cancer. I believe in more research, for
more survivors like Alexandra.
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| Alexandra and I just a few weeks ago at a fundraiser for Walk With Sally |
No amount is too small of a donation, as every penny counts
in the quest to find a cure. In addition
to making a contribution, if you could forward this on to those friends and
family of yours that you think would appreciate this story, or be willing to
help, I would be so grateful. Thank you for your support!
