Elissa Lowenthal - 2025 Chicago Marathon

Hi all,

I'm excited to share that I'm an official member of Team Sharsheret for the 2025 Chicago Marathon!

This will be my second full marathon, and I am honored to be running it with Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization helping those at high risk and those facing breast and ovarian cancer at every stage - before, during and after diagnosis.

Unfortunately, one in 40 Jews of Ashkenazi descent carries a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, compared to 1 in 400 in the general population, that increases the likelihood of developing breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma and male breast cancer. 

While Sharsheret's expertise is in young women and Jewish families as related to breast cancer and ovarian cancer, Sharsheret programs do serve all women and men, providing cancer-related genetic and mental health counseling, emotional support, financial subsidies and education.

I was first introduced to Sharsheret during my time in the Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter at The Ohio State University, and I have seen the important work that this organization does. Further, I understand the importance of having a community supporting any individual going through cancer treatment as I watched my mom beat breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2016.

As a member of this Team, I will be running on behalf of my mom and the many others who have beaten breast and ovarian cancer, are currently undergoing treatment, and those who have lost their fight. I am asking you to please support me in my fundraising efforts as I train to run 26.2 miles on October 12, 2025. With your financial contributions, we are taking a step toward saving lives with Sharsheret's educational, emotional and physical resources.

Thank you all!

With love and gratitude,

Elissa Lowenthal