Pearla's Run

So you may not know this, but I am extremely competitive. So competitive, in fact, that I’m running this marathon only because two of my younger siblings ran a full marathon (one—my greatest competition—ran three!).

I’m joking—that’s not the only reason I’m running this marathon.

The real reason is much deeper. A close family member was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After about a year of treatment, she beat it!

Many people don’t know this, but approximately 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women and men carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, compared to about 1 in 400 in the general population. These mutations significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer (as well as other cancers), making awareness, screening, and support absolutely critical.

It’s a huge honor to run for Sharsheret, an incredible organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Sharsheret provides free, confidential support—including personalized counseling, peer connections, help navigating blood tests and finding medical care, financial assistance, and so much more.

They personally supported my family member during one of their hardest times, offering care, resources, and hope when it was needed most.

Every mile I run and every dollar I raise is a celebration of my family member’s strength—and a way to ensure more families can find the same help and support they did.

Please help me and this beautiful cause reach (and hopefully surpass!) my goal of $3,600 and 26.2 miles.

PS, All contributions are tax-deductible, and you can double the impact by asking for corporate matching for your gift too! Together, we can help Sharsheret continue providing vital resources and hope to those who need it most.

Thank you so much for your support—let’s do this!