Ella Rossiter, Liliana Dolinsky, Caroline Pierre, and Isabella Policastro
Every Thanksgiving, families, and individuals from around Rockland County gather at Rockland Lake to partake in the Turkey Trot. Participants may walk, run, jog, and even bring their kids with them on the five-mile track.
Each person must donate $40 to enter, supporting the Marisa Fund. The Marisa Fund works to raise money for the research, treatment, and hospitality of children with cancer. David Goldwasser began this fund for his daughter, Marisa, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 16 and sadly passed away at 20. Hodgkin’s lymphoma attacks the immune system, jeopardizing one's infection-fighting abilities. Marisa underwent rigorous chemotherapy treatments and radiation, which appeared to beat the cancer until it returned just as aggressive.
David shares that Marisa played soccer, lacrosse, and ran track. She also loved to read with her father and run with him. Marisa began her college journey at Duke, but, unfortunately, passed away before graduating. Soon after this heartbreak, David started the Marisa Fund. The fund started with the support of the Rockland Road Runners. In 2004, they created a race that hosted just 23 participants. Today, the Rockland Road Runners host the annual Turkey Trot, the largest road race in Rockland with over 3,300 participants, raising over $100,000 annually.
The Turkey Trot is an amazing opportunity for community members to come together and celebrate the holiday in a beneficial way to our society. If you are interested in participating in this wonderfully organized event, click the link and fill out the registration!
https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Congers/5mileturkeytrotforthemarisafund