Hi!

My mother is the co-founder of an amazing organization here in Baltimore called Gevuras Yarden/The Jewish Caring Network. It was started when she and another special woman saw how hard it was for a mutual friend to cope when faced with a very serious illness. From that sparked an idea that no family that is facing serious illness should ever feel left alone again. This idea flowered and bloomed into a multi-faceted organization that provides the imperative help that a family needs when up against a life-threatening prognosis.

My siblings and I always understood the importance of the organization, and not only gave of our own time and energy to volunteer, but we also watched our mother do amazing things, attend tons of meetings and personally answer multitudes of phone calls of people desperate for help.

Each one of those callers was cared for with the utmost respect, compassion, caring and sympathy. When tragedy strikes and one receives the news of a harmful diagnosis, the world around them comes crashing down. What will be? Nobody knows. But one thing is for sure; they know that they will be able to attend to the needs of the illness without the family and house falling apart, and that is only made possible by the efforts of the Jewish Caring Network.

The family is assured in knowing that someone, actually a whole group of someones, is looking out for them and their every need. That doesn't mean simply sending over a meal or two during the week. This means a long list of a variety of things that a person would never even know they needed, such as daily meals, Shabbos packages, respite care, specialty items, counseling, and so, so much more.  They even built a hospitality house near Johns Hopkins Hospital to further their reach of incredible care.

When Heaven forbid, a member of the family is struck with illness, R,L, their role in the family unit is suddenly suppressed. If it's a parent, who is going to cook dinner? Who is going to drive carpool? Those are real questions that a family faces. If it's a sibling, while the parents are putting all their effort into their sick child, what about the other children? Not that they are being ignored, but the attention has been diverted from them to the illness at hand. Will someone look out for them and see what their needs are as well? The basic things that one takes for granted are taken away, and who will fill that void?  

This is what the people at the Jewish Caring Network are absolutely committed to. They provide the much-needed relief for the patient and the rest of the family, so that they can focus on the challenges ahead of them, and rest assured that their family will not fall apart under the pressure.

Now how do I know all this? Yes, I have volunteered, and have helped some amazing people. But in a plot twist that only G-d Himself could write, this amazing woman who has helped so many, is now on the receiving end of the equation.

Roughly a year ago, we received the heart-breaking news of a possible tumor. In the time between the test and the diagnosis, we were simply in shock. It was a whirlwind of prayer and tefilla. After the positive diagnosis of cancer, it was easy to simply feel lost.

In the beginning of this letter, I could explain to you what the Jewish Caring Network does in words, but how can I put feelings into words when describing how much they have helped us? It's simply impossible. It's impossible for words to describe the weight that they hold up from our shoulders, and the support that they give us.

Only now can I begin to understand what this help does for families who are facing such situations. Maybe this is Hashem's way of showing us what we are actually doing, and how we need to not only keep moving forward with the outstanding work of the organization, but how to also improve even more the help that it provides. I am therefore committed to making sure that this organization can continue doing what it does best.

On June 25th, the Jewish Caring Network will be hosting its annual JCN 5K Care Run, and it will be an amazing event!

Not only will there be music, an after race BBQ, a moon bounce, face painting, and a kid's Super Hero race, but you can join together with the community in showing your support for the JCN. If you, or anyone you know, has been helped by JCN, if your child was/is a student of my mother, if you have been a student yourself, if you have had anything to do with my mother, JOIN NOW!

Join my family in showing Hakaras Hatov to the organization that has helped us in such an unimaginable way. Last year we all proudly wore shirts that said “I care, I run”, let’s show it again this year that we care! We care for the people and families that are faced with illness. If you don't want to get too sweaty, then you can become a virtual runner as well!!

With the zechus of your support, we should see a speedy refuah shleima for Chaya Masya Bas Tova, among all the others who are facing serious illnesses, and may we all merit to run up the mountain to the Holy Temple, the Bais HaMikdash, to greet and welcome Mashiach soon and in our days!

Here are some details about The Darrell M. Zaslow JCN 5K Care Run:

It will take place at the Timonium Fairgrounds, June 25, 2017. 

Walk In Registration                       5:00pm

Packet Pick Up for Pre-Registration 5:30pm

Race Begins                                   6:30pm

Super Hero 100 Yard Dash Following 5K*

After Party/Music /BBQ and Awards Ceremony Following The Race

 *Super Hero Dash is for children 6 years and younger- They will receive a cape, bag, bib number/ribbon/medal/and have access to the popcorn, snow cones, and much more....

For more information on the race, please click here.

Wishing you all the best, and may you, your families, and your extended families only have good health and happiness.

I can't wait to see you all there!

-Eli Drabkin