On Sunday, June 9th the American Friends of Rabin Medical Center hosted its’ Third Annual NYC Schlep: Breast and Ovarian Cancer 5k Run/Walk. 200 runners and walkers arrived at Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, NYC at 9:00 am on Sunday morning in order to partake in the event. The event benefits the funding of a Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography and the breast cancer research clinic focused on identification and early detection of BRCA gene mutations in women at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center; home to the Davidoff Cancer Center - a world class facility whose sole focus is on the treatment and prevention of cancer. Sponsors this year include El Al Airlines, Shleppers Moving & Storage, Battery Park Synagogue, Tamid - The Downtown Synagogue, Genentech, Sharsheret, Jewish Community Project (JCP), and Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York.

Over 500 donors helped to make the event an overwhelming success. Donations poured in via direct mail and the Internet, from places including Kansas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Denver. Furthermore, the race attracted runners and walkers from all over the world. In addition to traveling from all five New York boroughs, New Jersey, and Connecticut, participants came from as far away as London, California, Colorado, Texas, and Boston in support of the NYC Schlep. Participants ranged in age from 9 year old Tani Leitner to 90 year old Grace Salant, who were both Schlepping for their third year in a row.

Before the race began, attendees were treated to remarks from AFRMC’s Executive Director Joshua Plaut and New York State Assemblyman David Weprin, who once again spoke to the great cause the Schlep supports, as it was his third year attending the event.

Joshua Plaut announced “What I personally love about this particular event is that it combines the outdoors, fantastic community spirit, and exercise--all for a vital and important cause--finding a cure for breast and ovarian cancer.” He then started the race by loudly proclaiming to runners and walkers, “On your marks, get set, Schlep!”

The event culminated with an awards ceremony. The awards for best overall female and male runners went to Emily Hoey from California and Michael Tenebruso, who completed the race with times of 16:46.15 and 15:30.12, respectively. The award for best overall fundraiser went to Benjamin Casper, who along with his team City Streakers. The award for best team fundraiser went to Marlene Sanchez’s Jones Lang LaSalle’s CMGNY team. Special thanks to all of the teams for their dedication and support, including, Emanu-El NYC, Naomi’s Schleppers, and CHB Cancer Free.

In the United States, about 1 in 56 women are affected by ovarian cancer and approximately 1 in 8 women are affected by breast cancer. While doctors, researchers, and scientists are hard at work throughout the world looking to eradicate this devastating disease, Schlep supporters are vital to their efforts. The American Friends of Rabin Medical Center looks forward to hosting the 2014 Schlep in support of breast and ovarian cancer research in June 2014! Please join our 2014 Schlep Steering Committee by email at afrmc@afrmc.org or by calling 212-279-2522.