Rhulen Rock Hill Run and Ramble

Firestorm Founders Race to Fight Against Leukemia and Lymphoma -  A Father's Day Tradition

 Runners and ramblers from throughout the Hudson Valley will support a great cause during the 20th Annual Rhulen Rock Hill Run & Ramble (R4) on June 16th, 9AM EDT in Rock Hill.

The 5K walk/run will raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America, the R4 Patient Fund, Catskill Regional Medical Center and other worthy charities.

The event is one of the longest running road races in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

“The Rhulen Run & Ramble is a Father’s Day-weekend tradition that raises people’s awareness of blood-related cancers, and although the event is lots of fun, and focuses on health and wellness, we must remember why we do it—to save lives” said Firestorm co-founder Suzanne Rhulen Loughlin, the race director and daughter of the race’s honoree, the late Walter Rhulen.

“This year has been a sad one for the R4. We lost several friends near and dear to us—Josh Depew, Tammy Reichenbaugh and Erik Rosen. In their names, we will continue to raise funds to support the research needed to develop cures for blood related cancers and make a difference in the lives of patients. We will continue to raise funds for the R4 Patient Fund which helps people with the uninsured portions of their medical bills, as well as for the necessary things that insurance never pays for, like gas money and hotels while undergoing treatment; tires that are worn out from all the driving; wigs to preserve the dignity of young girls and women undergoing treatment; eyeglasses for the patient whose vision has changed because of the treatment.”

The R4 also hosts a bone marrow drive, which began in 2008 when it was learned that 21-year-old Monticello resident Jared Carlew needed a transplant. Sadly, Carlew died before a transplant could be arranged, which happens to many patients because of the lack of available donors. Our community has lost other great people, like Gil Sandvoss of Monticello, N.Y., a retired employee of Arthur Glick Truck Sales, and Roy Chelsen, 49 of Warwick who worked Firehouse Engine 28 Ladder 11 for 22 yrs. He was in the WTC collapse on 9/11 and saved many firefighters’ lives.

According to DKMS, although there are 13 million worldwide included on the bone-marrow registry, 6 out of 10 patients NEVER receive the lifesaving transplant they need. “These aren’t faceless nameless people that are searching for the match. They are people in our own community, young and old, of every ethnicity.  You may be that match. You may save a life. A simple swab of the cheek is all it takes to start this life-saving process.” said Loughlin
 
Last year almost 900 runners and walkers participated in the Rhulen Rock Hill Run & Ramble.  The 2011 Rock Hill Run & Ramble raised more than $65,000 and donated $35,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; $14,000 to the R4 Patient Fund, benefiting Heather Mustavs, a 14-year-old from Roscoe; $2,500.00 to Catskill Regional Medical Center; $1,500.00 to DKMS, a national bone marrow bank; $1,500 to the United Way; and $1,000 to other individuals in need.

This year’s R4 Patient Fund recipient will be Brian Scott, age 50, from Jeffersonville.  Brian was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma just before Christmas 2011. He is currently undergoing treatment with Crystal Run Healthcare and Catskill Regional Medical Center.  Brian, a single father, resides with his three children, Nicholas, Christopher and Brittney, in Jeffersonville, N.Y.  Funds are raised for the Patient Fund through the sale of raffles.  The raffle sales will be used to help Brian offset the costs of medical treatment and expenses.  If you would like to buy raffle tickets or help sell tickets, please call Resa at (845) 794 3600.

The 5K walk/run is held in honor of Walter A. Rhulen, a dedicated runner and local humanitarian who lost his battle with Leukemia in 1998. Rhulen was the founder of Frontier Insurance Group in Rock Hill.

The race will begin at 9 a.m. at the Frontier Insurance Building on Lake Louise Marie Road in Rock Hill and loop around scenic Lake Louise Marie. On-site registration starts at 7 a.m., but race officials are encouraging everyone to pre-register by visiting the official race website at www.rockhillrun.com. The pre-registration fee for the Run & Ramble, before June 8, is $22. T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 900 registrants. After June 7th the registration cost is $25. Registration for children 10 and under is $10.

Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each age group. The overall 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd male /female runners will receive cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200. Awards will be given to the top three in each age group, as well as to the top three individual fundraisers who raise monies through donations, pledges or raffle sales, as well as to the top three largest teams.

This year’s raffle prizes include: iPad 3; Bethel Woods Tickets; Curves Certificates; Villa Roma Golf; Day of Golf/Lesson at E. Gaynor Brennan; Golds Gym & Fitness Factory Annual Membership; Holiday Mountain Season Ski Passes & Fun Park; Mets Tickets;  Monticello Car Wash Certificates; Morgan House Skis & Bindings; Sneaker World Gift Certificates; Weekend  at ‘newly renovated’ Lodge; Vineyard Case of Wine; Radiant Yoga Certificates; Rock Hill Trading Post Certificates; Restaurant Certificates from Bernies, Buona Fortuna, Crust, Dutch’s Old Homestead, Yiasou Café; Theater Tickets and much more

Participants will be entertained by live music, enjoy a pasta luncheon, and gain valuable information at ‘the best health fair under the tent’! Local health care businesses already scheduled to attend include: Catskill Regional Medical Center, Crystal Run Health Care, Center for Discovery, Children’s School of Yoga, Cornell Cooperative, Dolson Avenue Medical, Family Foot Care, Premier Care Physical Therapy, Radiant Yoga of Mountaindale, SullivanArc, United Way of Sullivan County, Wurtsboro Medical Associates- Dr. Stuart Tashman, YMCA of Monticello/Middletown.

Services available at the Health Fair will include blood pressure screenings, cancer education and outreach, diabetes screening, weight assessment, massage, nursing supervisors, physicians, physical therapists, and much more.