For the past 15 years, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater has presented free health awareness events as part of Spring Into Healthy Living, along with the annual JFS Run, Roll or Stroll. Speakers have included physicians from the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins, in addition to celebrities such as Good Morning America’s Joan Lunden and Tidewater’s own Jane Gardner.
JFS 15th Annual Run, Roll or Stroll
Sunday, May 5 | 24th Street Park
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
8K run, a 5K run, and a 5K walk: 8:00 AM
1-mile Run/Walk: 9:15 am
It’s time to lace up those sneakers and get moving! The annual Run, Roll or Stroll offers an event for people of all ages and all levels.
Sue Graves, JFS race director, says, “The JFS Run, Roll or Stroll is a highly anticipated event in our community. People look forward to it every year and always have a great time. You don’t have to be a seasoned runner to participate— people of all activity levels enjoy the events of the morning. If you’re not interested in running or walking, come out just to cheer on the participants.”
Since it’s important to warm up before exercising, instructors from the Simon Family JCC will lead a Zumba warm up in 24th Street Park before each race. Kids of all ages can enjoy face painting and balloon art by Ryan the Balloon Guy. Radio station The New 101.3 2WD will entertain with lively music to get the adrenaline flowing. As always, snacks and beverages will be available, and an awards ceremony will take place after the last race to recognize the top placers in each race, plus the top teams.
In addition, Leigh Casson, a volunteer with Gift of Life Marrow Registry, will be on-site with information about joining the stem cell/bone marrow registry. JFS nurses will also perform blood pressure checks.
On Friday, May 3, participants may pick up their race bibs, race t-shirt, and swag bag at the Simon Family JCC between 8 am and 4 pm. Registrations will also be accepted at Packet Pickup and on-site at the race starting at 6:45 am.
To register for the JFS Run, Roll or Stroll, visit www.jfsrunrollorstroll.org.
Organ Donation: The Gift of Life
Thursday, May 16, 7 pm
Zeiders American Dream Theater
4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach Town Center
JFS is hosting an event that just might save a life. The program, focused on organ and tissue donation, is presented as part of JFS’ 2019 Spring Into Healthy Living awareness commitment. The event’s goal is to provide clear information and perspective on the organ donation process and inspire a decision to make the gift of life.
Janet S. Wright, MD FACC, director of Science and Policy, (acting) from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, is the keynote speaker. Wright joined the Surgeon General’s team in March 2019 as director of Science and Policy. In that role, she is charged with ensuring the scientific integrity of the office’s projects, reports, and presentations and with engagement of major partners to advance the office’s mission.
A panel of experts—including organ donor families, an organ recipient, a transplant specialist, and a member of the clergy—will discuss the importance of organ and tissue donation in order to increase awareness of life-giving choices as well as the ethical issues involved. Kathryn Barrett, former WVEC medical editor, will moderate the panel discussion.
Last spring, Charity Tilleman-Dick, an opera singer who survived double lung transplants, spoke and sang at the Chrysler Museum’s Kaufman Theater, with her physician, Dr. Marie Budev, director of heart and lung transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. Tilleman-Dick’s story, along with the profound need for organ donation, led JFS to focus on this topic again with this year’s Spring Into Healthy Living program.
The May 16 event is presented in partnership with LifeNet Health, the EVMS M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community and Global Health, and WHRO. It is free and open to the community with RSVP. To register, visit https://jfshamptonroads.org/healthyliving or call 757-321-2233.
TowneBank is the Presenting Sponsor of Spring Into Healthy Living.
Amy Cobb