Stories From the Streets: Runners Raise $500K for Emergency Organization

More than 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 committed 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 the United States, Canada, England, South Africa, Australia, and Israel. Many of the runners joined with others to form teams that ran and raised money together. The largest team this year was Team Lax, which raised money and ran in memory of Ethan and Jonny Lax, brothers in their 20s who died six months apart in 2018–19. Team Lax raised more than $56,000 and will be donating two “Days of Lifesaving” through a novel fundraising program developed by United Hatzalah (https://israelrescue.org/campaigns/dayoflifesaving).  

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, N.J. They raised over $12,500 in memory of honoree 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 and 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… We feel blessed we could safely participate outside and raise awareness and funds for such a beautiful and necessary organization.”

Another runner, Jessica Myers from New York, said, “The chessed (kindness) 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.”

Eli Beer, the president and founder of United Hatzalah, thanked all the runners and their supporters for helping the organization. “I want to thank everyone for participating in the Race to Save Lives 5k,” he said. “Thank you for running and everything else you are doing to help. And a big thank you to all the United Hatzalah volunteers out in the field saving lives.” 

All money raised by the participants in 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, see www.israelrescue.org.

Raphael Poch is the international media spokesperson for United Hatzalah.