PARK RIDGE, N.J.—A local teen is rallying her community for a cause close to her heart. The inaugural Elephant Run 5K, a family-friendly charity run/walk, will take place Sunday, May 4, in the Park Ridge Municipal Pool parking lot to raise funds for the Jimmy Fund, which supports cancer research and care at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
The event is organized by Fiona Curran, a junior at Bergen County Academies, who launched the initiative in memory of her grandparents, Neil and Barbara Curran. Both received care at Dana-Farber during their battles with cancer.
“I wanted to create something meaningful that brings our community together and helps others facing cancer,” Curran tells Pascack Press. “Dana-Farber did so much for my grandparents, and this is my way of giving back.”
The 5K is open to participants of all ages and includes food, music, and community activities. Registration is $35 and includes a race bib and event T-shirt. Organizers hope to raise $8,000 in the event’s first year.
Sponsors include local businesses such as MLCurran Construction, CrossFit Ignite, Spine and Health Center of New Jersey, Garden State Orthopedics Association, Vanguard Tattoo, Pure Barre, and others.
Katherine Bahrawy, associate director of event fundraising at the Jimmy Fund, praised the effort: “The Jimmy Fund was built on grassroots fundraising. We are grateful for the efforts of our Jimmy FundRaisers, like the Elephant Run, who are bringing their communities together to support groundbreaking research and extraordinary patient care at Dana-Farber. Every penny makes a difference.”
Curran says the event is named the Elephant Run as a nod to the strength and memory of her grandparents—both of whom she describes as steady and wise, like the animal itself.
The Jimmy Fund has supported Dana-Farber since 1948 and is one of the most recognized cancer charities in the country, known for its partnerships with the Boston Red Sox, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and other major efforts. To register or donate, visit runsignup.com/Race/NJ/ParkRidge/TheElephantRun. You can follow the race on Instagram at @elephantrun5K.
