Help Me Out In My New York City Marathon Run to Raise Money For Ovarian Cancer Research

Asking for your support!

In memory of my wife, Jill, a veteran marathoner, and my best friend of 46 years, who died of ovarian cancer, I’m flying to New York today for the NYC Marathon on Sunday. I’m running with Fred’s Team, the running team of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to raise money for ovarian cancer research.

Fred Lebow, a Romanian Holocaust survivor, founded the NYC Marathon and transformed it from 55 finishers to over 50,000 finishers before he died of brain cancer. Fred’s Team is named in his honor..

With the support of those of you who have already pledged, we have raised $6,360. My five children and I want go over $7,500. YOU May DONATE HERE.

It was last November, when running only 10 or 15 miles a week that I sent Fred’s Team the below email. A month or two later when I got an email that I could run on the team, I was filled with emotion, until the second minute when I realized the training involved. It’s been worth it. I thought I’d share it with you.

Here’s a picture of Jill at the Seattle Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon, after smoking our oldest daughter, Ainsley.

=========== Email to Fred’s Team ===========
My wife, Jill, my best friend for forty-six years and mom to our five kids, died from Ovarian Cancer three years ago.

Jill was a marathon runner, a passion we shared. I’ve completed around forty marathons, including the New York City Marathon, but it’s been over two decades since my last race. Our five children are encouraging me to return to marathoning, and what better way than to honor Jill’s memory and contribute to a cause close to our family’s heart.

Born in Flushing, Queens (where Fred is buried), I am a native of New York City. Jill loved the City, as do I, and we traveled there often.

Our last visit was for Jill’s treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where her doctor told us she was running the NYC Marathon in two weeks.

Jill was advised by her doctor that things looked good and to get back out there and get fit. Jill envisioned running again soon, but died ninety days later.

I am a marathon history buff and followed Fred’s story. It’s amazing what he has done for the City and its people. Runners, worldwide, want to run the NYC Marathon.

Thank you to Fred’s Team for considering my application to run the NYC Marathon and for the opportunity to raise money for research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. The opportunity to honor Jill’s memory, supported by our five children, would be very very special.