The NYC 5K Schlep of 2015: Raising awareness and funds for Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Title Sponsor Warren Diamond and his wife Faith Perlmutter Diamond, Oldest Schlep Participant Grace Salant, Miss New York Iman Oubou, Tali Rabin, AFRMC Executive Director Dr. Joshua Plaut, Rabin Medical Exchange Fellow Dr. Eran Sadot, and AFRMC Board Member Jacalyn Barlia Florin.

On a warm and sunny Father’s Day Sunday morning American Friends of Rabin Medical Center hosted the Fifth Annual Cheryl Diamond 5K SCHLEP Run/Walk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Hundreds of participants gathered in Battery Park to either run, walk, or volunteer in the 5K (2.87 miles) race to help raise both money and awareness for breast and ovarian cancer. All proceeds and donations from the NYC 5K SCHLEP directly benefit the BRCA Gene Multidisciplinary Clinic serving women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as funding research to find cures for breast and ovarian cancers at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center’s Davidoff Cancer Center- a world class facility for the treatment and prevention of cancer. The SCHLEP also supports a nutritional intervention study to determine if nutrients in cruciferous vegetables can decrease breast cancer in BRCA gene mutation carriers, thus saving lives of this high-risk population.

The event was co-sponsored by American Self Storage, Central Synagogue, Congregation Emanu-El, El Al, Genetech, 14th Street Y, JLL, IDB Bank, Shiboleth, Schleppers Moving & Storage, StorageBlue, and Tamid: The Downtown Synagogue. 

The NYC 5K SCHLEP proved to be an extremely successful event as the American Friends of Rabin Medical Center with over three-hundred and fifty supporters for research and treatment of both breast and ovarian cancer. Before runners and walkers took their marks, event sponsor Warren Diamond of American Self Storage thanked the crowd for gathering and encouraged guests to continue to fight against these two devastating diseases by raising awareness and participating in events like the SCHLEP. Following Mr. Diamond’s heartwarming speech, AFRMC Executive Director Joshua Plaut welcomed guests to the event and further reminded participants of the great importance of the cause. As Dr. Plaut told NYC 5K SCHLEP participants, “We all know someone with breast or ovarian cancer: MOTHER. WIFE. SISTER. DAUGHTER. FRIEND. SURVIVOR.”

To even further encourage and inspire the Schleppers, Dr. Plaut surprised participants by introducing Miss New York United States, Iman Oubou. Miss Oubou served as a living reminder that the Rabin Medical Center treats patients from all over the world and the NYC 5K SCHLEP represented both Breast and Ovarian Cancer awareness as well as multiculturalism and cultural unity. The NYC 5K SCHLEP participants came from near and far to attend the event—with some traveling as far as England and Hawaii.

At 9 a.m. the runners and walkers took their mark at the starting line. Joshua Plaut sounded the blow horn and the SCHLEP had begun! Mr. Jonathan Schindel was first to cross the finish line in 14 minutes and 27 seconds making it the second year in a row he accomplished such a feat. The best overall female runner, Brittany Hayes, finished shortly after with an impeccable time of 17 minutes and 7 seconds.

Around 10 a.m. the award ceremony began. Dr. Joshua Plaut called on Miss New York, Iman Oubou, to join him in presenting the winners their prizes, which were divided by age category. Awards were given to the fastest runner by age group, the best fundraiser, the best fundraising team, fastest female overall, and fastest male overall. Top runners were given a medal and gifts such as an Adidas sports bag, and a compact sport bottle. The Best Fundraising team won tickets to the Broadway show It Shoulda Been You and the best fundraiser received tickets to a cruise on the harbor that includes a stunning view of the NYC skyline.

Breast and ovarian cancers are the most common cancers afflicting women in the United States and Israel. One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually. Proceeds from this event benefitted the BRCA Multidisciplinary Clinic to serve women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center’s Davidoff Cancer Center- a world class facility whose sole focus is on the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Thank you to our supporters and participants of this record breaking event. We hope to see you at our June 2016 Cheryl Diamond NYC 5K Schlep: Breast & Ovarian Cancer Run/Walk!

If you would like to make an additional donation for breast and ovarian cancer research, please visit the NYC 5K SCHLEP website at afrmc.kintera.org/schlep15

Related Articles

First Rabin Fellow in Orthopedic Medicine Arrives in Las Vegas


The new Rabin Fellows program just launched by the American Friends of Rabin Medical Center (AFRMC) will designate fellows and support doctors, researchers, and educational/medical programs between the Rabin Medical Center and the United States.


read more »

Stem Cell Technology is Here


Over the weekend of December 2, 2005, more than 500 people had an opportunity to learn of revolutionary practices at Rabin Medical Center.


read more »

Israeli Hospitals Destroy Tumors With Liquid Nitrogen


IceCure Medical, an Israeli company developing a minimally invasive medical device for treating tumors, announced that it will start offering its technology in Israel in upcoming weeks.


read more »