Remi Zisselman of Manhasset Hills, New York is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah on September 9, 2017. For her Mitzvah Project, Remi and her family are hosting A Charity Dash, an event where children, ages 5-18, will run 100 yard dashes. The event will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 4-6 pm at Herricks High School in New Hyde Park, New York. All the money raised will be donated to NYC’s Mount Sinai Hospital Multiple Myeloma Program. This program is important to Remi’s family as her grandfather, Isaac, died of Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer, in 2005. Since then, the Zisselman family has been involved in raising money for research. Remi’s goal is to raise $10,000. We profiled her sister Lexi’s very successful Bat Mitzvah Project, Kick for a Cure.
Pictured left: Remi is ready to run!
We asked Remi a few questions about her Mitzvah Project:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
RZ: My grandfather, Issac, died of Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer, the week when I was born in 2005. My dad Marc got involved with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, a leading Multiple Myeloma charity, and helped them raise almost $6 million over ten years. In 2016, he created “Libations for Living,” a Long Island fundraiser that raised money for the Mount Sinai Multiple Myeloma Program. I got involved by getting some great auction prizes. The money raised at the 2016 fundraiser is being used by my grandfather’s doctor, Dr. Jagannath, who runs the program, to create a new research facility in Huntington, New York. I am hoping that my Charity Dash will be a great success too!
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
RZ: As I enter womanhood in the Jewish religion, I realize how fortunate I am to have a great family and the opportunity to excel in school. As much as my Bat Mitzvah will be a celebration, I also wanted to acknowledge those who are in need. By hosting the Charity Dash, I will be helping my grandfather’s doctor raise money for research and hopefully find a cure for the disease. Kids will also learn about Multiple Myeloma in a fun atmosphere.
MM: What are you doing to spread the word?
RZ: “We started a massive e-mail campaign, put signs up at local merchants and had several newspaper articles written about the Charity Dash.
MM: Can you give us details of A Charity Dash?
RZ: We hope to have hundreds of kids, from 5-18 years old (along with their parents), come to this unique fundraiser. The kids will take part in 100 yard dashes and be automatically entered to win great prizes which include an iPad, pizza party, custom jerseys and more. All the money raised will be donated to the Mount Sinai Multiple Myeloma Program. For those interested in participating, please complete the registration below and send it to us via e-mail to reserve a spot. We are thrilled to have such amazing sponsors and donors.
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
RZ: The Charity Dash is on Saturday, June 17, 2017, but people can always donate to the Multiple Myeloma Program at Mount Sinai Hospital.
For further information about A Charity Dash, please email Marc Zisselman, Remi’s Dad at mzisselman@yahoo.com. To read more about Multiple Myeloma, please click here.
We thank Remi and the Zisselman family for sharing her great Bat Mitzvah Project with our readers and wish her much success with her upcoming event!
UPDATE: We heard from Remi’s dad about the event. He tells us, “In spite of the weather, we held Remi’s Charity Dash this past Saturday, the rain stopped at 3pm and we dried the track with brooms for the 4pm start. Over 125 kids took part in the 100 yard races and had a very good time. Equally important, much money (over $16,500.00 including Sponsors) and awareness was raised for multiple myeloma. Many local merchants including TCC Wireless (Mineola), Angelina’s Restaurant (Williston Park), Upper 90 (Hicksville), Spanky’s Food Factory (Garden City Park), Twenty5A (Williston Park) and Dunkin Donuts (Albertson) all donated amazing prizes for the kids to win which was awesome; a Signed Rihanna Microphone was the Grand Prize.
