Walking for a Cause Opportunities in NYC
Without a doubt, there have been countless advances that have been made in the medical field over the past few decades. These advances have provided new diagnostic and treatment opportunities for diseases and illnesses that previously had few, if any, options. Some of these include HIV/AIDS, various forms of cancer and different types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. One of the reasons why these new medical advances have been developed is because of the tremendous amount of fundraising that has taken place across the country. These projects are of vital importance for providing valuable research dollars to medical investigators everywhere.
The ZERO Prostate Cancer Run and Walk
This is an annual event that takes place in New York City. One of the largest road races of the year, ZERO has partnered with a variety of medical organizations including the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Montefiore Medical Center and Mount Sinai Health System to put on an event to raise money to fight prostate cancer. There is a 5K run, a 1-mile walk and even a kids’ run in an effort to raise money for researchers looking for a cure for prostate cancer. This remains one of the most common cancers in men. While there have been advances in screening and detection of this cancer, the treatment options remain limited.
Those who participate in the race have the opportunity to collect free food, prizes and shirts and meet various celebrities. There is often a concert that plays at the end of the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run and Walk. Those interested in registering for the race or volunteering with the organization should visit their website to learn more.
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Without a doubt, one of the best-known races across the country is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. There are multiple races sponsored by this foundation across the United States and the race in New York City is no different. Occurring annually, the goal of the run is to raise money that is used in breast cancer research. Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and impacts not only women but some men as well. Over the years, tremendous strides have been made in the area of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, providing new options for people everywhere.
There are both runs and walks that take place in New York City annually. The people of New York City have helped to raise more than $80 million that have been used to fund research programs and local programs that help families hurt by breast cancer. Even children are invited to participate. Think about walking, running in the race or even volunteering to assist with the event.
The Purple Stride New York City Run
The Purple Stride run in New York City takes place annually and strives to raise money to fight pancreatic cancer. This is one of the deadliest and most aggressive forms of cancer. Unfortunately, because the pancreas is in the middle of the body, there is plenty of room for cancer to grow before it starts to cause serious symptoms. This means that many people with pancreatic cancer are not identified until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
The Purple Stride run and walk takes place annually and has a goal of raising more than $720,000. This money is used to fund research projects and help families who have been hurt by pancreatic cancer. There are events that take place for people of all ages. People are invited to run in the race, walk the course and even volunteer to help with the event. Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease and all forms of assistance are appreciated.
The New York City AIDS Walk
Another popular annual run in New York City is the HIV and AIDS walk. This is a deadly disease that has killed countless people over the past few decades; however, active research has helped to improve the prognosis and the stigma around this disease. For those who might not know, AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, shortened to HIV. In this illness, the virus targets the body’s immune system, destroying it. This makes people particularly vulnerable to infections that they would otherwise be able to fight.
Fortunately, there have been countless research projects that have provided doctors and their patients with numerous treatment options for HIV. On the other hand, there is still no cure for HIV. Therefore, more research is needed. The New York City AIDS walk is a fantastic way to get involved. Sign up to walk the course, run the race or even volunteer at the event. All of the proceeds from the run are used to help those suffering from HIV and AIDS or to fund research programs across the country.
Cupid’s Underwear Run
One of the most popular road races of the year taking place around Valentine’s Day, this run in New York City captivates residents and visitors alike. In this run, individuals run a road race in nothing but their underwear in an effort to raise money for those researching Neurofibromatosis.
Those who are interested in Cupid’s Run should visit their website to learn more about the registration process for this race. This is an annual event in New York City.
The New York City Lung Force Walk
There are numerous types of chronic lung diseases from which people might suffer. Some of these include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and even lung cancer. These are deadly diseases that can lead to high medical bills, recurrent doctor’s visits and a decreased quality of life. The New York City Lung Force Walk seeks to help those who suffer from various lung-related illnesses and ailments. The goal of this walk is to raise money to fund lung-related research, particularly lung cancer. Lung cancer is actually the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. It is sponsored by the American Lung Association and those who donate will receive a free koozie. People are welcome to form a team to try and meet a fundraising goal or to run or walk the raise as an individual. Those who are able to raise more than $100 will receive a free Lung Force T-shirt.
The Annual New York City Brooklyn TEAL Walk and Run at Prospect Park
This is another annual race that happens in Brooklyn, New York. This run is sponsored by the Tell Every Amazing Lady (TEAL) foundation and strives to raise money to fight ovarian cancer. This is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women because it is often not identified until it reaches an advanced stage. The ovaries, located in the pelvis, have a significant amount of room for cancerous tumors to grow before they start to cause symptoms. As a result, at the time of diagnosis, cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. The funds raised from the race are used towards research into ovarian cancer to identify new and improved screening methods, diagnostic tools and treatment modalities. The race was originally started back in 2009 by two sisters who survived ovarian cancer and wanted to raise awareness of the disease. Now, the race is one of the largest in the city and has raised thousands of dollars that have been used to fight against ovarian cancer. The race takes place every September in Prospect Park and is one of the most popular runs and walks in the city.
Road Races: A Popular Fundraising Method
Many times, these fundraising projects take the form of road races. For those who might not be familiar, individuals sign up to walk or run a road race somewhere in the country. In many cases, their participation fee could be reduced or waived if they raise a certain amount of money. For competitive races, individuals might not be allowed to run unless they either meet a qualifying time or raise a large amount of money. New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is home to numerous such events throughout the year. This is a valuable opportunity to make a difference in the lives of countless people across the world.
The Value of Staying Active and Volunteering
It is important not to overlook the value of staying physically fit and volunteering during the later years of life. As people age, they might notice that their body does not recover from injuries or illnesses quite as quickly as it used to. They may feel like their memory is starting to fade. They could even notice that they don’t hear or see as well as they used to. Staying physically fit can help keep these changes at bay. Regular physical activity provides numerous benefits including:
- Keeping the muscles strong, helping to retain balance
- Improving heart health by improving cardiac endurance and reducing atherosclerosis
- Helping to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Reducing the risk factors involved in the development of diabetes
- Keeping the bones strong through weight-bearing activity
In addition, volunteering gives people a sense of purpose and fulfillment later in life. After people stop working, they often search for something else to fill their time and give them a purpose. Volunteering with various organizations, particularly by raising money for valuable causes, can help to fill this gap. This helps individuals keep their mental faculties sharp, their mind focused and might even help stave off the development of dementia. Don’t be afraid to get out there and volunteer with a charitable organization!
Clearly, New York City plays host to a wide range of various fundraising opportunities over the course of the year. Those who are interested in participating in these altruistic events merely need to reach out to the organizers to learn how to sign up. In many cases, all of the required information can be found on their website. Finally, around the time of the event, many of these races have volunteers throughout the city and have tents set up at various locations. This makes it easy to sign up in person or have the help of someone who works for the organization. Why not take the opportunity to stay physically active while volunteering for a worthy cause? This is a fantastic way to donate both time and money to help medical researchers discover new treatment options, develop cures for diseases and provide hope to families who so desperately need it.
Life at The Brielle in Staten Island, NY
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