Charities Across The State And Beyond Benefit From The New Jersey Marathon Dozens of non-profit organizations around the state and across the country utilize The New Jersey Marathon on May 6 for fundraising, awareness and inspiration.
BigNews.Biz - Apr 13,2012 - Running 26.2 miles is for most a daunting, challenging task. For many, completing a marathon is a “bucket list” item. Or at least a distinct personal measure of accomplishment.
But for others, diseases and conditions like cancer, autism, cerebral palsy, paralysis, muscular dystrophy and diabetes, to name a few, can make every day seem as challenging as running a marathon. For charitable and non-profit organizations in the Garden State and beyond, these worlds come together at The New Jersey Marathon at the Shore on May 6.
Dozens of these groups have a long history of partnering with The New Jersey Marathon for fundraising opportunities, awareness and even inspiration as they continue to fight for these important causes. From not-for-profits as large and wide-ranging as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and American Cancer Society to more local ones like Central Jersey Brain Tumor Support Group and Kick Cancer Overboard, the The New Jersey Marathon's association with them greatly enhances the event's participants, supporters and fans.
“The work done by these charities every day is inspirational, and fits in perfectly with the mission of The New Jersey Marathon,” said Joe Gigas, race director. “We are pleased that so many groups have partnered with us, and we are honored to play a part in helping these selfless individuals continue what they do in assisting those in need.”
Although the fundraising aspect of The New Jersey Marathon is critical, many groups find ways to connect even more closely with the event. Central N.J. Brain Tumor Support Group, for example, will have four brain tumor survivors on the course after placing two last year. Often people run on behalf of friends and loved ones, like Team LADACIN's captain Joseph Walker, whose brother Conor has both cognitive and physical disabilities. Every one of the runners with National Hospice are participating in memory of a loved one who, sadly, were stricken with conditions for which there was no cure.
“At the end of the day, if we can help one child, one family at a time, we are doing our job,” summed up Claudette Bardwil, president of Autism Family Times with Brianna, Inc., “and The New Jersey Marathon has been a key contributor in the work we do.”
Some of the charities who are “going the extra mile” to maximize the value of their New Jersey Marathon experience include:
• THANC Foundation (www.thancfoundation.org) - A gentleman is running his first marathon in honor of his brother in law who has been battling one of the cancers THANC supports.
• Wellness Within (http://wellnesswithin.org) – Patti Brown, from across the country, volunteers in support of her 40-plus year friendship with life-long NJ resident Beth O'Reilly.
• Central NJ Brain Tumor Support Group (www.njbt.org/startCNJBTSG.cfm) – Funds raised from the 2011 team supported a National Brain Tumor Conference, “2011 Diagnosis Brain Tumor: You Are NOT Alone IV,” in October in Edison.
• Autism Family Times (www.autismfamilytimes.org) – One of the team members ran the 2010 N.J. Marathon with a PICC line
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