Second Annual Walk for Life Keeps Hearts Warm on a Cold Day
Feb 15, 2012 by Gift of Life
News
The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation held its second annual Walk for Life on Sunday, February 12th, a 5K walk held on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Nearly $82,000 was raised, thanks to the fundraising efforts of 400 participants who braved chilly temperatures and strong winds to come out and support the event. The Walk is part of Gift of Life’s campaign to raise funds needed to pay for lab tests on 12,000 backlogged donor testing kits waiting to be processed.
Just hours before the Walk, a somewhat unusual cold front moved into South Florida, bringing temperatures in the 40’s. Despite the chilly weather, the hearts and minds of everyone remained warm, thanks to an amazing donor-recipient introduction that served as an emotional kick-off to the event.
Dr. Scott Savader, a physician from Indianapolis, Indiana, was introduced to his donor, Jill Rubin, from Deland, Florida. Diagnosed in 2008 with myelofibrosis, a transplant offered his best chance of survival, but only if a match could be found. That match was Jill, a physical therapist who was tested to join Gift of Life’s registry while at a Hanukkah fair at Temple Kol Ami-Emanu-el in Plantation, Florida years ago. Following the transplant, the pair hoped and waited for the opportunity to meet someday.
After a tear-filled embrace onstage, Scott said, “Jill came forward to offer a part of herself to a stranger, to save the life of someone she did not know. Jill is my true friend and my hero. And to her I say ‘thank you’.”
Jill explained that once she heard the news that she could help save a life as a donor, she felt honored, privileged and filled with a huge sense of responsibility of having another person’s life dependent on her own. Following her wonderful donation experience, she now serves as a Gift of Life Ambassador, encouraging others to join the registry and spreading awareness about the organization.
The introduction served as a wonderful reminder of the lives touched by Gift of Life’s mission to save lives, and a cause for celebration as adults and kids alike set off together on a 5K path around the FAU campus. Burnie, the Miami Heat basketball team’s mascot was on hand giving high fives and encouragement along the way!
Following the walk, participants snacked on bagels, fruit and other treats and beverages generously donated by local businesses. Younger participants enjoyed balloon animals and airbrush tattoos, while the adults could take in a quick massage and enter raffles to win a variety of exciting donated prizes including an iPad and signed footballs and basketballs from Miami Dolphins and Heat players. Special thanks go to top sponsors for the event, including Histogenics, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches and LabCorp.
Of course, no Gift of Life event would be complete without a donor recruitment table. Fifty new donors swabbed their cheeks to join the ranks on the registry in the hopes that they too, might save a life in the future.
Gift of Life’s Founder and Executive Director, Jay Feinberg said, “I am thrilled that the Walk for Life was such a tremendous success, and I am honored that so many donors, recipients and volunteers turned out to participate!”
We look forward to next year’s Walk for Life, and hope to see you there! Check back later in the year for dates and information!
