Since 2011, I (Madh) have run a race for charity every year following a spinal surgery I had to prevent paralysis in my legs. This annual fundraiser has come to be a tradition that I cherish, as being a dancer and athlete has been such a huge part of my life. As life changes and throws you twists and turns, this event has morphed and transformed. What originally started as something small, it changed in a big way when I became a previvor of breast cancer following a preventative double mastectomy in 2016. We went from running a 5k to running half marathons, and the support I've received along the way has only kept this movement going.
Well this year, alongside the amazing Bing, we are changing it up again. This annual fundraiser has always been and still is a commemoration of health and wellness. The first thing I learned in public health school was the global mandate that we are all to abide by set forth by the World Health Organization: health is a human right for all. As public servants, as the children of immigrants, and as human beings, the migrant crisis on the U.S. border is devastating, angering, and horrific. Migrant children are being kept in inhumane and neglectful detention facilities, and parents are being denied access to their kids. Families fleeing violence and economic oppression in their home countries are facing new and stringent policies that deny them access to asylum. The long-lasting mental and physical impact of these types of traumas can be irreparable. Both of us have committed our careers to serving communities, many of whom are directly impacted by this humanitarian emergency. In a contentious time where many of us feel helpless, it only feels right to raise funds this year to provide aid to the children and families that are in dire need of medical and legal assistance. Funds raised will go directly to RAICES, Inc., a Texas-based non-profit leading the effort to provide free and low-cost access to legal services for children and adults being detained and separated at the border.
This year we will be taking the race to Staten Island (Madh has never been to Staten Island!?!?!??!?!) to run the Staten Island Half Marathon on October 13th. You can join this year's Health Celebration by either signing up to race with us, or donating to the fundraiser. Thank you for all your continued support over the years! Much love!
