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Congregation B'nai Jeshurun

Tikkun Olam: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Race for the Cure

Social Action Home | Panim el Panim: BJ's Community Organizing and Advocacy Initiative | Tikkun Olam Committees and Programs | Spiritual Foundations of Social Action/Social Justice at B'nai Jeshurun

"They helped, everyone her neighbour; and everyone said to her sister, Be of good courage." - Isaiah 41.6 (with gender modification)


"For I will bring healing to you and cure you of your wounds, declares Adonai." - Jeremiah 30:17



Goal
To combat breast cancer through awareness, funds for research, and support for the community - both the synagogue and the city. We are all affected by this devastating disease that destroys our friends and families.

Objectives
To form a team that will participate in the annual Susan G. Komen for the Cure Run/Walkathon in Central Park each September to advocate for increased government and private funding for breast cancer treatment, community outreach and research. We have named our team Congregation B'nai Jeshurun.

To persuade our community and friends to contribute to the team through our fund-raising efforts.

To encourage more communication about breast cancer, especially information sharing, resource sharing, and to create a climate in which people will feel comfortable talking about the disease.

Join Us
Sunday, September 14, 2008

It only takes a minute to register for this 5K Walk/Run to fight breast cancer. It may seem early but with summer plans and the to-do of returning after Labor Day, these important commitments get lost in the shuffle.

Go to www.komennyc.org, click on Race Registration is Now Open and then click on Join a Race Team. Our team name is Congregation B'nai Jeshurun.

We are eager to form a junior group of teens and young adults. For further information, please contact team co-captains Andrea Bigelisen and Glenda Frank, or call BJ Social Action Coordinator, Channa Camins at (212) 787-7600 x261.

Testimony
"The Race for the Cure has become a special annual experience for me, and a way to connect with my loved ones who have succumbed to breast cancer. By using the gifts of health and stamina with which I have been blessed, I can help find a way for others to avoid this tragic fate, while participating with others from my community."
- Bob Gruenspecht
Contact Our Team Co-Captains:
Glenda Frank, glfrank@verizon.net and Andrea Bigelisen, andmugs@aol.com


Learning More

Breast cancer became a pressing concern in the 1980s when, thanks to increased and improved screening, the rate of new cases rose sharply to 11 in every hundred women. The early diagnoses saved countless lives. By the 1990s, the rate of new cases was holding steady. Studies presented at the 2006 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium have shown a steep decrease in new cases in 2003. However, while the overall picture is improving, physicians expect to identify the disease in over 178,000 American women and men this year. While the outlook for these patients is improving and the mortality rate dropping, we still need to keep fighting.

Helpful Resources on the Web

KOMEN FOR THE CURE
http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
This website has a wealth of information.

THE BREAST CANCER SITE
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
This site offers free mammograms based on the number of visitors a day. It takes a minute to click and be counted.

SHARSHERET
http://www.sharsheret.org
This organization is devoted to young adults (15-40) struggling with breast cancer.

SHARE
http://www.sharecancersupport.org
A nationwide breast cancer and ovarian cancer survivors group. It runs support and educational programs.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS)
http://www.cancer.org
This organization is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization.

SISTER STUDY
http://www.sisterstudy.org
Sister Study is the only long-term study of women aged 35 to 74 whose sister had breast cancer. It is a national study to learn how environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer.

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