When Manny Mermel, 16, crossed the finish line at theFriends of KarenAnnual 5K Run last month, he wasn’t just celebrating a first-place finish in his age group – he was honoring an organization that helped his family through one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Mermel, a member of the Friends of Karen Junior Advisory Board, raised $10,031 for the nonprofit organization supporting families of kids with life-threatening illnesses during this year’s annual fundraiser, making him one of the event’s top fundraisers.

For Mermel, the cause is deeply personal.

When he was younger, his sister was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3. During the more than two years she underwent treatment, Friends of Karen provided support services to the family, helping them navigate the challenges that accompany a child’s life-threatening illness.

“Friends of Karen actually helped us through the process for those years,” Mermel said. “When I turned 15, I wanted to get involved and join the Junior Leadership Board as soon as I could.”

Founded in 1978, Friends of Karen was inspired by Karen MacInnes, a 16-year-old girl from Purdys, New York, who was living with the rare genetic disorder Lafora disease. After family friend Sheila Petersen rallied community support to help Karen’s family care for her at home during the final months of her life, Petersen continued the effort after Karen’s death, creating Friends of Karen to assist other families facing similar circumstances. Today, the organization provides emotional, financial and practical support to hundreds of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families each month throughout the New York metropolitan area.

The Friends of Karen Annual 5K Run brings together runners, volunteers and supporters from across the region each year to raise funds for the organization’s programs serving families facing childhood illness.

Mermel said the organization’s impact on his family inspired him to give back.

“It really means so much to me because they helped my family through a tough time,” he said. “When I raise money and I read the emails of people who are affected by the organization, it’s very heartwarming to hear what they have to say about all the work they do to help families.”

As a member of the Junior Advisory Board, Mermel participates in monthly meetings focused on future events, fundraising efforts and ways to support the organization’s mission.

Source: LI Press