With the summer humidity finally behind us and 18+ mile runs top of mind, it looks like this thing is really happening. I’ve yet again caved to that once-every-three-year itch to run the NYC Marathon. Only this year is quite a bit different… not just because three years has morphed into four (thank you, Covid), or because it’s the 50th anniversary of the NYC Marathon, or because this Marathon Day may very well be the largest city-wide gathering since the pandemic hit. This year is quite a bit different because for me, it’s more personal than ever; I’m running in memory of my dear friend Naomi, who died of breast cancer three and a half years ago.
When Naomi first told me she’d been diagnosed, I was shocked — but not devastated. I mean, I’d only ever known people to survive breast cancer and so was secretly ‘relieved' that this wasn’t something ‘worse’ — say, a brain tumor or pancreatic cancer. In fact, the only women I’d known with breast cancer went through treatment, possibly a mastectomy, and came out stronger on the other side. Only much later did I realize how blissfully ignorant I’d been, blessed to have moved through life 'breast cancer dumb.’ I didn’t know from Triple Negative or Inflammatory Breast Cancer and was utterly clueless as to how insidious and aggressive breast cancer could be. I just didn’t get it. And frankly, I still kick myself for my naiveté.
I later learned that Sharsheret (also known as the Jewish breast cancer organization), was a helpful touchstone for Naomi when she was sick. Like other breast cancer organizations, Sharsharet has helped educate and demystify these poorly understood types of breast cancers, while providing a Jewish lens for support to people with breast (and ovarian) cancer. By running with Sharsheret, I’m hopeful the dollars I raise will not only offer comfort and care for cancer patients and their loved ones, but will educate others (especially those as ignorant as I was), so they, too, can become beacons of support.
Many people have remarked on Naomi’s vivacious, indomitable spirit... her magnetic presence... how she was brimming with moxie and lit up a room. It’s all true — and then some. I'd put it a bit more crassly (which Naomi would have fully endorsed). She had more balls than a brass monkey. One of the last times we were together was shortly before she was diagnosed, paying homage to one of our favorite haunts, Marie’s Crisis Cafe. Rare is the straight, cisgender woman who can clear the throngs of regulars for a front row seat by the piano at Marie’s Crisis. But when Naomi entered, the sea of men parted, and she owned the room, commanding every eyeball with her gutsy, guttural rendition of Tits & Ass. You can bet I will be channeling her at mile 20, summonsing every bit of energy and chutzpah to make it to the finish line.
Until that time, I’m hoping I can count on your support to help me reach this critical and especially personal fundraising goal.
With deep gratitude,
Mirm
Honor Roll
Caroline
Nov 7, 2021
New York, US
Andrea
Nov 6, 2021
Maryland, US
David
Nov 4, 2021
New York, US
Marcia
Nov 4, 2021
Maryland, US
Rach and Mark
Oct 31, 2021
Michigan, US
Reva
Oct 25, 2021
Tennessee, US
Shailaja
Oct 21, 2021
New York, US
rachel
Oct 16, 2021
New Jersey, US
Stacy
Oct 14, 2021
California, US
Cat
Oct 13, 2021
Tennessee, US
Jim
Oct 8, 2021
California, US
Susan
Oct 7, 2021
California, US
Amy
Oct 6, 2021
California, US
Barbara
Oct 6, 2021
California, US
Marcey
Oct 6, 2021
Delaware, US
Julie
Oct 6, 2021
California, US
Gary
Oct 6, 2021
VIC, AU
Jennifer
Oct 6, 2021
Arizona, US
Lindsay
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Gail
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Jill
Oct 5, 2021
Florida, US
Bradley
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Jacqui
Oct 5, 2021
VIC, AU
Marnee
Oct 5, 2021
Oregon, US
Anonymous
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Brendan
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Debbie
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Rebecca
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Lisa
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Susan and Saul
Oct 5, 2021
New Jersey, US
Marni
Oct 5, 2021
Florida, US
Abigail
Oct 5, 2021
Illinois, US
Nancy
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Karen
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Todd
Oct 5, 2021
California, US
Kim
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Rebecca
Oct 5, 2021
New York, US
Simon
Oct 4, 2021
VIC, AU
Laura
Oct 4, 2021
New York, US
Jesse Zilberstein
Oct 4, 2021
California, US
Elyssa
Oct 4, 2021
New York, US
Susan
Oct 4, 2021
New York, US
Isabelle
Oct 4, 2021
Illinois, US
Max
Oct 4, 2021
New York, US
Hana
Oct 4, 2021
New York, US
Lisa
Oct 4, 2021
New York, US
Deb
Sep 30, 2021
New York, US
Gloria
Sep 30, 2021
New York, US
Michelle
Sep 30, 2021
New York, US
MIRIAM
Sep 30, 2021
New York, US
Shary
Sep 30, 2021
District of Columbia, US
Vicki
Sep 30, 2021
Florida, US
Kara
Sep 30, 2021
New York, US
Andrea
Sep 29, 2021
Massachusetts, US
Corinne
Sep 29, 2021
New York, US
David
Sep 29, 2021
New York, US
Gabrielle
Sep 29, 2021
New York, US
Mirm
Sep 28, 2021
New York, US
Mirm
Sep 28, 2021
New York, US
$5,411.00
$5,000.00
New York, United States
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