Team Sharsheret Athletes Raise Breast Cancer Awareness At The Nautica NYC Triathlon

Team Sharsheret Athletes Raise Breast Cancer Awareness At The Nautica NYC Triathlon

By Cornershop Creative July 19, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elana Silber, Director of Operations
Telephone: (866) 474-2774
E-Mail: [email protected]

TEAM SHARSHERET ATHLETES RAISE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
AT THE NAUTICA NYC TRIATHLON

Teaneck, New Jersey (July 19, 2011) – Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer, will participate in the Nautica NYC Triathlon on Sunday, August 7, 2011. Team Sharsheret athletes from across the country have been training hard for this Olympic distance race that includes a 1500m swim, a 40k bike, and a 10k run.

“We are thrilled to have such incredible athletes participating in the Nautica NYC Triathlon with Team Sharsheret this summer,” said Program Manager Ellen Kleinhaus. “Our athletes are not only training rigorously for this physically challenging competition, but at the same time, they are also raising awareness about breast cancer in the Jewish community and funds to support Sharsheret’s critical programs and services.” To date, Team Sharsheret athletes have already raised vital breast cancer awareness among hundreds of supporters and more than $50,000 in support of Sharsheret’s free support and educational programs.

Team Sharsheret attracts athletes from the tri-state area and across the country. Max Trestman of San Diego, California lost his mother to breast cancer at the age of eight and joined Team Sharsheret in her memory. “By joining Team Sharsheret and raising awareness about breast cancer, I know I am making my mom proud,” said Mr. Trestman. “I hope that through my outreach and fundraising efforts, I can make an impact on all of the children and young adults facing the challenges of having a close family member being diagnosed with breast cancer. Working together, alongside Team Sharsheret, I know I will make a difference.”

“I am proud to be a member of Team Sharsheret,” said Team Sharsheret athlete and NYC resident David Bosses. “I will be competing in my first triathlon this summer to support Sharsheret’s programs and in tribute to the women who participate in them. Four years ago I saw Sharsheret’s work first hand when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sharsheret enabled us to tap into a wealth of knowledge which we were able to use in our successful efforts to beat breast cancer.”

Sharsheret’s Director of Community Engagement, Rebecca Schwartz, assists Team Sharsheret athletes in planning outreach and fundraising events to raise awareness about Sharsheret’s programs and to help meet their fundraising goals. Inspired by their dedication and the women and families she has met through the organization, Ms. Schwartz, of Bergenfield, NJ, joined Team Sharsheret. “Competing in the NYC Triathlon with Team Sharsheret this summer will certainly be a challenge,” said Ms. Schwartz. “No matter how difficult the training proves to be, it will be nothing compared to the challenges faced by women and families living with breast cancer or ovarian cancer.”

To meet all 10 Team Sharsheret athletes and read their stories, please visit http://sharsheret.blogspot.com/2011/07/meet-team-sharsherets-10-triathletes.html. Team Sharsheret is also recruiting members to participate in the ING New York City Marathon on November 6, 2011. For more information about joining Team Sharsheret, please email [email protected].

Since its founding in 2001, Sharsheret has responded to more than 24,000 breast cancer inquiries, involved more than 1,200 peer supporters, and presented more than 200 educational programs nationwide. Sharsheret now offers a continuum of care for the Jewish community – addressing the needs of those who are concerned about the risk of breast cancer in their family, those who have been diagnosed with the disease and are undergoing treatment, and those who face issues of survivorship or recurrence. Over the past 10 years, Sharsheret has developed 10 national programs, including the Peer Support Network, connecting women newly diagnosed or at high risk of developing breast cancer one-on-one with others who share similar diagnoses and experiences; Embrace, supporting women living with advanced breast cancer; Genetics for Life, addressing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and the Ovarian Cancer Program, providing tailored resources and support for young Jewish women and families facing ovarian cancer.

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