I'm fundraising for... Cheryl Grammer
On November 1st I’ll be running the New York City Marathon as part of Team Lustgarten in support of pancreatic cancer research.
10 years ago, my mom completed her first and only marathon at age 50. I'll forever remember that day – watching her cross the finish line filled me with so much pride. All her training and years of running leading to this tremendous accomplishment.
A little over a year ago, my mom was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. After four months of severe backpain and countless tests for every ailment you could imagine, this diagnosis was obviously devastating to my mom and to our family. She would spend the next three months mostly in the hospital. Whenever I used to question my mom on how she enjoyed running she would say that it was the best way to clear her mind. So last summer, I started running between hospital visits to try and clear my mind. It became a quick 30-60-minute reprieve from reality and gave me hope that my mom, who ran a marathon at 50 years-old, could beat pancreatic cancer at 60.
Unfortunately, we all quickly learned the devastating impact of a stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Just three months after her diagnosis, my mom passed away. She was the strongest most resilient person I have ever met, and yet she didn't have a fighting chance against this horrible disease. The last year has mostly been filled with grief, but I often find myself thinking about the what if’s. What if she was diagnosed four months earlier? What if she was diagnosed 4 years earlier when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes or 3 years earlier when she was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)? What if there were other chemotherapy treatment options? What if there were better surgical options? What if this disease could be cured? While I know that answering these questions now is not helpful in bringing my mom back, it might be helpful in saving someone else's mom.
A few months ago, I decided I would run a marathon and while looking into the NYC marathon, I came across the Lustgarten Foundation and immediately knew this was how I wanted to honor my mom. The Lustgarten Foundation was created to advance the research related to the diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer and it is the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research.
Although my mom won't be able to see me cross the finish line, being able to run the NYC Marathon in support of pancreatic cancer research would make her so proud.
Please help me reach my goal of raising $10,000 in support of pancreatic cancer research. Your support truly means so much to me and countless families that will experience the devastating impact of pancreatic cancer.
For Canadians interested in tax credits to US charities please visit the CRA website for more details: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/p113/p113-gifts-income-tax.html#P112_7860
My Achievements
Hit 50% of Goal
Added a Blog Post
Received 5 Donations
Updated Profile Pic
Reached Goal
Fundraising page
Thank You to My Donors
$1.82k
Esther And Jonathan Goodman And Family
$1.01k
Patti And Bruce Nashman
Your mom would be over the moon with pride Jonathan! We’ll be there to cheer you on!❤️
$1,000
Mark Grammer
Running a marathon in honour of mom is a tribute that not only would make her proud but would put a big smile on her face knowing you will get the same satisfaction she got from completing this challenge. Like mom, you constantly put one foot in front of the other and tackle the difficulties in life with grace. Love, Dad
$720
Anonymous
Love you pal
$560
The Glied & Beliak Family
Thinking of you and your family as you run in honor of your mom. Wishing you strength for every mile, she would be so proud. ❤️
$520
Robyn Linden
❤️
$508
Anonymous
What an amazing tribute to your mother, and just so appropriate and meaningful. We miss her beautiful smile everyday!
$500
Mike, Cindy, Sam & Ruby Rosen
We’re very proud of you Jonathan and your mom would be too. Sending much love.
$500
Debra Feldman
What a tangible contribution to good work in honour of your beautiful mom and my beautiful cousin.
$500
Jonathan Grammer
$500
Azouri Family
Dearest jonathan, Our heart is always with you. We loved your mom very much and we feel everyday the pain of her loss. We wish you good luck. All your mom wants is to see you happy!!! She was a great mother, a mom that adored her kids. We love you!! Good luck!
$380
Zachary Baruch
Love ya, you're going to crush it
$380
Hannah & Adam
Cheering you on and sending so much love ❤️❤️
$360
Neil Grammer And Cheryl Daniels
What an amazing way to honour your Mom. We’re super proud of you
$360
Matthew And Jordyn Clarfield
💜
$360
Judd Silverstone Rapoport
$360
Nancy And Hugo
$360
Adam Polan
Your mom would be so proud! What a beautiful message. Adam and Robyn
$360
Zach & Danielle
Love you
$360
Simon Grammer
$325
David And Isla Steinberg
$318
Jody Roebuck
Dear Jonathan What a beautiful way to honor you mom. Run with her in your heart, carry her spirit with you and know how incredibly proud she is of you. I know she will be right beside you every step of the way. ❤️aunty Jody
$272
Burstein Family
From Debra, Mory, Brandon & Tyler!
$258
Daniel Solomon
Amazing Gram
$250
Daniel Steinberg
Your mom would be so proud! Can’t wait to watch you accomplish this for such an important cause
$250
Ryan Cohen
Love you Gram - this is so awesome.
$250
David Taylor
$250
Danny Nashman
$220
Jason Rapoport
I am extremely proud of you and I know your mom would be too. Love ya
$220
Jack Hexham
Good Luck Buddy!
$200
Barb Mitchell
$200
Anonymous
So proud and sending so much love!
$191.70
Mark Nashman
$187.38
Zach Aaron
An amazing guy and an amazing cause. Love you brother.
$180
Arie Cote
❤️
$180
Jaimie Roebuck & Adam Bogoroch
What a beautiful way to honour your Mom and follow in her footsteps. We’re so proud - as she would be, and has always been - of you.
$180
Andy Myers & Allison Turk
$150
Cole Hock
$130.83
Lori Bogomolny
$118
Alon Nashman And Elizabeth Pasternak
Jonathan, your message and your intention in running are inspiring. Yes, your mom would be very proud!
$111.25
Leah Lundell
My heart is with you and your family and what a meaningful way to honor your mom 💜
$111.25
Tammy Cadsby
Hi Jonathan, my deeper condolences to you and your family. I know how beautiful a human your mom was. I am a lifelong friend of your aunt Stacy and have always been aware of Sheryl’s importance in all of your lives. I wish you a long life and may your mom’s memory be nothing but a blessing. Well done for this exceptional cause. Lots of love from us
$111.25
Anonymous
$111.25
Peter Zaltz
$111.25
Laura Marks
Jonathan what a wonderful tribute of your mother!
$100
Seth Kadish And Pamela Libfeld
Go Jonathan Go! We're so proud of you!
$61.79
Anonymous
You're going to crush that run -- your mom would be proud!
$57.38
Gabi And Jamie Gorlick
$57.38
Ben Cowley
Love you pork!!
$50
Kevin Jacobs
$50
Matthew Kruger
<3 <3<3<3<3
$28.88
Anonymous
$25
David And Isla Steinberg
$10
What a powerful way to honour your mother, who we loved. We are there with you for each step you take to make an impact on future lives.