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BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. After finding out one of his local students was diagnosed with leukemia, Master Chris Berlow, of the United Martial Arts Center in Briarcliff Manor, knew he had to do something about it.
When I heard, I was shocked, Berlow said this week. When I found out there was something I could do, I said Im in. But it wasnt enough to get involved, I wanted to blow it up and get the whole community involved.
Berlow joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys Team In Training program that prepares people to hike in the Grand Canyon to raise funds to support the societys mission for a cure. But to take it one step further, Berlow is organizing a kickathon to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, set to take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 10 at Brookside Elementary School in Ossining.
I think there are a lot of people in our community that want to help and I think this is going to go a long way toward raising awareness too, Berlow said. Were going to kick out cancer.
UMAC students in Briarcliff Manor, Carmel and Fishkill are set to do 1000 kicks as a part of the kickathon to raise awareness. Students will train to do 500 kicks in class and another 500 kicks will be done at the grand finale in Ossining, according to a press release.
Berlow said in a press release that the situation is a win, win for everyone involved.
A win for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as they will receive much needed funds to fight blood cancers and a win for the UMAC students as they get to understand how they can make a positive difference that will benefit others, Berlow said in the release.
The kickathon is set to pay tribute to two boys Quinn and Jake. The two, whose last names have been withheld at the request of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, have both been diagnosed with leukemia.
Quinn is a 6-year-old boy who takes tae kwon do classes at UMAC in Briarcliff. He is currently in his fourth month of a three-year treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and his prognosis is excellent, according to the release. Jake is an 8-year-old boy currently fighting pre-B acute lymphocytic leukemia the most common and now the most treatable form of childhood leukemia, the release said.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, based in White Plains, is the worlds largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services, according to the organizations website.
Those looking to learn more about the kickathon on March 10 or find out how to get involved are asked to contact Berlow at 914-945-7100 or masterberlow@optonline.net. Residents can also learn more about Berlows Team In Training at the teams webpage.
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