Four NYC Marathon Runners Raise $13,000 for Chai Lifeline

Four NYC marathon runners raised $13,000 for Chai Lifeline/Camp Simcha yesterday. 10,000 runners participated in the13.1 mile half marathon sponsored by the New York Road Runners. Other runners included Olympian Ryan Hall and World Marathon record holder Briton Radcliffe.

The runners, dubbed Team Sarina, dedicated the marathon to memory of Sarina Kalaty (Sara Ruth Bat Ephraim z”l), a baby girl who benefited from Chai Lifeline’s extensive programs and services while she was hospitalized in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “It was a privilege to help support this wonderful organization,” said Kami Kalaty, 33 of Great Neck, NY. “They made it a priority to make sure that we were taken care of, in terms of housing, meals, schooling, and much more, while my daughter was hospitalized so far from home.

Sunday’s marathon marked the end of a series of sporting events dedicated to support Chai Lifeline’s flagship program, Camp Simcha, a camp for seriously ill children who would otherwise never experience the summer fun that “normal” children take for granted. Last Monday-August 4, 2009-an EMT from the Lakewood, New Jersey, biked 135 miles from the Jersey Shore to Camp Simcha in Glen Spey New York. Dovid Egert, 22, raised over $10,000 for the organization along his grueling uphill trek (see www.bike4chai.org).

The runners-Tony Carmili, 32, of Kings Point, NY; Joshua Kashanian, 28, of Roslyn NY; Matt Livian 27, of Manhasset, NY; and Kami Kalaty, baby Sarina’s father-all completed the marathon. Matt Livian, the fastest of the team, finished his run in 1:47:00. The runners were greeted and cheered on by friends, family and members of the Mashadi community.

Chai Lifeline, founded in 1987, is an organization dedicated to helping children with serious illnesses, both here and in Israel. Chai Lifeline offers 24 programs and services including two overnight summer camps, Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special. These camps offer year round hope to seriously ill children who would otherwise never enjoy the summer experience that so many of us take for granted. Chai Lifeline has five regional offices throughout the United States as well as additional centers in Canada, England and Israel.

{Matzav.com Newscenter}