Jer's NYC Marathon Run For Sharsheret

Dear Friends and Family ,

I am so excited to share with you that I have been selected as an official member of Team Sharsheret for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.

Sharsheret - Hebrew for 'chain' - is a national not-for-profit organization that supports Jewish women and families of all backgrounds who are facing breast or ovarian cancer. Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish (Eastern European) ancestry have a 1 in 40 chance of carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, which is about ten times higher than the general population. This significantly increases their risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers. This organization provides assistance to those who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as those who are deemed high risk, and provides supportive services and information at every stage of the cancer journey. 

Breast cancer touched my life when my mother was diagnosed in 2017. It turned into one of the scariest and most difficult periods of her life, and of my family's history. After undergoing surgical intervention and over five months of chemotherapy and radiation, my mom came out the other side a survivor of Stage Three breast cancer. As of writing, we are grateful and proud to say that she has been cancer free for over eight years! I am so thankful for her outcome, but recognize that this is far from the experience and result that many others are forced to face. Hundreds of thousands of women and families are forced to grapple with this terrible disease every year, and many of them need information, support, counseling, and financial assistance. The gratitude that I feel for my mother's outcome drives my desire to contribute towards helping as many women and individuals as possible achieve that same successful result, and a cancer free future.

When I started to search for a charity to partner with for this marathon, I was instantly drawn to Sharsheret's hands-on approach to providing immediate cancer support and their localized, personal style of care. Sharsheret improves lives through tailored, clinical support, and saves lives through educational programming. By donating to Sharsheret, you can be assured that your money is going to make a direct impact within the Jewish cancer community. The organization employees clinical professionals such as social workers and genetic counselors who provide one-on-one guidance and tailored resource materials to its recipients. It also provide kits and materials to cancer patients and survivors at no cost, such as post-mastectomy kits, financial wellness kits, busy boxes for young children, healthy living and survivorship tools, and makeup products and application guidelines. On an annual basis, they also put on educational medical webinars with renown medical professionals. 

While I am so excited to run 26.2 miles as fast as I can, and to run the largest marathon in the world, I am even more excited to make my race about more than myself. As a member of this incredible Team, I have pledged to raise funds (which I hope to greatly exceed!) in support of Sharsheret's breast cancer and ovarian cancer programs and services. I am asking you to please support me in my fundraising efforts as I take on this challenge. All contributions are tax-deductible and ask your employer if they will match your gift! 

Thank you all so much, in advance, for your support! 

With Gratitude,

Jer