Ben Wiener

We all face limitations and challenges. I run marathons to prove to myself that I can overcome mine. But my next marathon will have additional motivation and meaning because I’m running for Sharsheret.

I’ve chosen to run for Sharsheret because both its cause and its exceptional founder are close to my heart. Very few of us do not know someone who has been affected by cancer, and unfortunately breast and ovarian cancer are all too prevalent among Jewish women. One of my closest childhood friends was diagnosed with breast cancer when we were in our twenties – she was married with children and we had not spoken in a while. My mother called to tell me Elana was very sick and gave me her number. I called and she answered softly; I said “It’s Ben, I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you” and she put the receiver down. Whoever was with her said she appreciated my call but was too weak to speak. A few weeks later I was at Elana’s funeral in Jerusalem. She was a quiet, introspective person and to this day I wonder what kind of emotional support system she had where she lived, as the cruel disease progressed.

I got to know Rochelle Shoretz, Sharsheret’s founder, when we were classmates at Columbia Law School.  She is quite simply one of the most intelligent, capable and dynamic people I have ever met. Rochelle, with the help of many others, has used her own experience with breast cancer and her incredible drive to build an important and necessary organization to help Jewish women and their families meet the challenges of breast and ovarian cancer. I am proud to do my small part to support such a person, and such an organization.

I have run six marathons and numerous half marathons but this one will be particularly special. I plan to run my seventh Full Marathon in Jerusalem, passing right by my house, on March 16. I’m doing what I can for Sharsheret by running around for 26.2 miles in a pink shirt…. Your part is arguably easier! Click below to donate via my Team Sharsheret page.