Long Island Mom Leads a Team to Help Kids in Need
A Long Island mother, inspired by her son, will run the Miami Marathon to raise money for kids with life-long and life-threatening illnesses
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That's why she's participating in the Miami Marathon on Feb. 6. Rachel, who has walked the marathon before, is leading Team Jacob, part of Team Lifeline at the race. Rachel will be walking along with 26 other runners and walkers on her team to support and raise money for the nonprofit, which has a strong presence in Miami.
“Chai Lifeline does so much. If I could raise even a little something, this is my way of saying 'thank you,'” Rachel says.
But so far, Rachel has raised more than “a little something.” The dedicated mom surpassed her fundraising goal of $80,000 and has now reached over $140,000 for the charity.
About Team Jacob
Team Jacob is made up of family and friends who want to make a difference. Jacob will be there to finish the race with his team. His grandmother and several of his childhood friends will be participating, too. His teacher at Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaway, Rabbi Chaim Siff, will also be running in support of Jacob and Chai Lifeline.
Jacob is a very happy kid despite his condition, according to his mom. He's on his school's basketball team, is very social and has lots of friends.
“He's spunky and he's smart. He's always a positive, delicious boy,” Rachel says. “I feel like part of it is because my husband and I made a clear decision early on to just treat him normally. My hope for him is that he's going to grow up to be a normal, functioning part of society. I want to treat him how I'd treat him if he had a feeding tube or not. I feel that played a tremendous role in him being able to integrate and feel normal—not different.”
Rachel, Jacob and their friends and family are looking forward to marathon day in Miami. To learn more about their team, visit Rachel's fundraising page.
Main image courtesy Rachel Hersko.