Running for St. Mary’s Kids!
Neil Levinbook is a successful attorney, an avid health fanatic, and he recently decided to put his body to the ultimate challenge of running the ING New York City Marathon, 26.2 miles, to raise awareness and much needed funds to support the patients at St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children.
Why did Neil choose St. Mary’s?
Neil and his family know first hand the great work of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. A couple of years ago, his cousin Zachary, now 9, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. During surgery to remove the tumor, Zachary suffered two strokes which left him in a coma. The doctors offered no hope and his family was told that Zachary would never wake up.
 A month after surgery, Zachary was admitted to St. Mary’s. Through the care, compassion, dedication and commitment of the entire St. Mary’s staff, Zachary woke up from the coma two months later. As a result of the strokes, however, he was unable to move his arms or legs and could not eat or drink. In addition, his speech and vision were also affected. After undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program for five months, Zachary left St. Mary’s walking and talking. Zachary’s mother credits St. Mary’s with saving his life. To this day, St. Mary’s nurses and therapists continue to care for Zachary on a regular basis through the Home Care Program. Learn more about Zachary's story in the video Everyday Miracles below.
How can you support Neil’s Marathon Run and St. Mary’s?
Please come out and cheer Neil through his first marathon on November 5, 2006. Regardless of which borough of the city you will be in, he will be running through a neighborhood near you. You could also plan to meet him in Central Park around mile 24 to give him that last push of encouragement to get him to the finish line.
Besides finishing the marathon and raising awareness for St. Mary’s, Neil is aiming to raise $5,000 to support the System’s Traumatic Brain Injury/Coma Recovery unit, Center for Pediatric Feeding Disorders, and Palliative Care programs. Each of these innovative programs are vital components to St. Mary’s comprehensive care and are heavily supported through philanthropy by generous donors like you!
Click on Neil’s running image below to contribute $25, $50, $100, or even $500 to help encourage…push…Neil to the Finish Line! Please note that all contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Go, Neil, Go!!! St. Mary’s Kids are behind you all the way!
Want to learn more about St. Mary’s?
St. Mary’s is a national leader in providing health care for 3,000 children with complex medical needs daily in all five boroughs of New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties.
St. Mary’s has earned widespread recognition for establishing the following innovative programs:
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New York State’s first Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury and Coma Recovery Program |
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New York State’s only Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program |
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New York State’s only Pediatric AIDS Home Care Program |
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New York State’s first and largest home health care program for children |
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The nation’s first Pediatric Palliative Care Program to relieve pain and suffering |
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The Institute of Child Development offering medical, rehabilitative, developmental, educational, and recreational supplemental programming |
For more information, please call
St. Mary’s Foundation for Children, (718) 281-8890,
or visit: http://www.stmaryskids.org
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