Running for a Cause

This weekend I’ll be participating in my 7th race with Moms in Training.  Moms in Training is a group of Moms that train together to run a 10K while also raising funds to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I started with this group in the fall of 2014 when my son was 4 months old.  He would sleep in our running stroller while I trained in Central Park.  I’ve always loved running but once I became a mom it became more difficult to find time to run.  By participating in Moms in Training, I have an excuse to go for a run each week and can feel good about it since I am supporting a great cause at the same time. With three boys now, I am finding it even more difficult to find time to run. I upgraded a few years ago to a double running stroller so now can push two of them while I train. That leaves my supportive husband with just one to look after.

This season has not been an easy one for me as far as running is concerned. I was formally diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis the week before the Moms in Training Season began. That didn’t stop me from going to the team kick off where we met this season’s team honoree, Jackson.  There wasn’t a dry eye among the crowd gathered there listening to Jackson’s father tell the story of Jackson’s battle with cancer.  Jackson is now 11 and has been cancer and treatment free for 5 years.  The one comment that resonated with me with was when Jackson’s father said that beating cancer was one of the easier challenges Jackson had to overcome.  Jackson was already challenged with numerous health and development issues that accompany Down Syndrome nonetheless Jackson persevered and overcame the challenge.  What I am facing is far less severe compared with Jackson’s story and it puts it all in perspective.  I’ve been going to physical therapy to work through the heel pain and it has helped. I have been running a little ahead of the race but not as much as I would have without the heel issue.

As I head into the race tomorrow, I’ll remember what Jackson’s father said and think about the millions of people who are affected by blood cancers.  I’m not likely to win the race, but I do hope to have a good time running it.  If you’d like to support my run with Moms in Training you can donate through this link, https://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/mit19/JRosenberg

Go Moms!

Happy Friday,

Julie

Giving Back

At Julie’s Beet we love supporting small artisans by introducing you to their amazing work. We also love giving back to our community and helping others. Did you know a portion of the proceeds from every jar of Due Cellucci Tomato Sauce goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Read Stephanie’s touching story for why she got into the sauce business HERE.

We donate our time and occasionally our products to help causes from education to Suicide Prevention.  There are some great people out there doing great things and we are just happy to be contributing to their success. Here are some upcoming events we’re supporting.

A League of Our Own DREAM Chocolate and Wine Event – This event celebrates the power and potential of girls and women.  It is a night filled with chocolate and wine and also the opportunity to give back.  You can find out more about DREAM here.

Center for Women & Enterprise Auction & Gala Celebration – This organization is dedicated to helping young men and women increase their professional success and gain financial independence.  Find out more about their mission here.

The Samaritans – The Samaritans of New York operates the only community-based organization in the NYC-Metropolitan area solely devoted to preventing suicide and helping people in crisis. Join them and support their efforts at their Midtown Mardi Gras Event on Wednesday April 11th.  Read more about their important work here.

As you can see there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes so to speak.  It always feels good to give to others, especially when we are supporting the amazing work of groups such as these.

Happy Friday,

Julie