Over 400 runners from five different countries joined together as part of the second annual Race To Save Lives 5k and raised $500,000 in support of the lifesaving efforts of United Hatzalah in Israel. The runners took upon themselves to run at least 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) wherever they chose in order to maintain safety during the resurging Covid-19 pandemic and raise a minimum of $500 U.S. each.
Participants joined the event from all over the world including Canada, the United States, England, South Africa, Australia, and Israel. Many of the runners joined together with others to form teams who ran together and raised money together. The largest team this year was team LAX which raised money and ran in memory of Ethan and Jonny Lax. “Team LAX” raised more than $56,000 dollars and will be donating two Days of Lifesaving. The runner-up was team “3 2 Run”, which raised $39,000 and will be donating a fully-equipped medical response ambucycle. Another incredible team was “Team Morah Chaya” which was made up of family and community members from Teaneck and Bergenfield, New Jersey. They raised over $12,500 in memory of Chaya Jacobs and will be donating an emergency medical response e-bike.
When asked why she chose to run and support United Hatzalah of Israel Rachel Bess Davidson from Los Angeles wrote, “We ran for something extremely important and close to our hearts – to raise awareness and critical funds for United Hatzalah, a wonderful organization dedicated to saving lives in Israel regardless of race, religion, or gender.
I am so fortunate to exist & be born in America and am thankful for organizations such as this one for going above and beyond to respond to EVERY human’s basic desire for survival. If you’ve ever been in an ambulance and had to pay the exorbitant costs you know firsthand the value of having free emergency relief and first responders who arrive in under three minutes. This is what this organization provides! It’s amazing! We are proud & grateful to be donating to their cause. And feel blessed that we could safely participate outside and raise awareness & funds for such a beautiful and necessary organization.”
Another runner, Jessica Myers from New York responded and said: The chessed demonstrated by the volunteers of United Hatzalah is inspiring and heartwarming. As hard as it is to push myself to run, as I train, I think about the people I am running to support – and how dedicated they are to saving lives – and that is what propels me to run each mile.”
Ricki Stone from the United Kingdom said: “Running for United Hatzalah of Israel is about me doing my small bit to help raise much-needed funds for such a great organization. United Hatzalah volunteers are the first people out there responding to all types of events. They have the biggest hearts and it is an honor to be able to do something for this organization. I am forever thankful for all they do.”
President and Founder of United Hatzalah Eli Beer thanked all of the runners and their supporters for helping United Hatzalah. “I want to thank everyone for participating in the Race To Save Lives 5k. Thank you for running and everything else that you are doing to help. And a big thank you to all of the United Hatzalah volunteers out in the field saving lives.”
All of the money raised by the participants of the second annual Race To Save Lives 5k will go to purchase medical equipment and vehicles to support the lifesaving work of the 6,500 United Hatzalah volunteers who provide emergency medical services to all residents of Israel before ambulances arrive and completely free of charge. For more information about the race or United Hatzalah please contact [email protected] or visit www.israelrescue.org.
