Organizers Gear Up for Sunday’s Pediatric Brain Cancer Fundraiser
Every year Chappaqua resident Kim Gilman feels the pressure to raise more money for her fundraising event, Think Fit for Kids, to benefit pediatric brain cancer research.
In the event’s inception in 2011, the event pulled in about $155,000. Last year, close to $170,000 was raised. Now in Think Fit For Kids’ third year, Gilman is looking to raise the bar again—dramatically.
“I want to raise $500,000 this year,” Gilman said.
Gilman will find out if that goal becomes reality next Sunday, March 3, when Think Fit for Kids is held at Club Fit Briarcliff from 2 to 5 p.m. All the proceeds go to A Kid’s Brain Tumor Cure, dedicated to funding pediatric brain cancer research. With plenty of activities and a few special guests attending, Gilman is excited to see what this year’s event brings.
Rather than it being a formal event, Gilman welcomes the entire family to spend an afternoon participating in physical activities, such as a family Zumba class, a Mommy and Me class hosted by World Cup Gymnastics, face painting, a DJ and plenty of food.
Gilman was also able to secure appearances from New York Giant Justin Tuck, former New York Met Edgardo Alfonzo, former New York Knick John Wallace and the New York Knick Street Team.
Gilman said Think Fit for Kids isn’t your typical “black tie, eat rubber chicken, red wine” event.
“It’s a very chaotic, fanatic event,” Gilman said. “But it’s a really fun event. I had one little boy come up to me the first year and say, ‘This is the best day of my life.’”
There will also be a silent auction with packages donated by local merchants. One of the top items is a private jet package for six that includes lodging and tickets to the Michigan–Notre Dame football game next fall.
While raising money is the primary goal for Gilman and her co-organizers, raising awareness for the disease is also critical. About 3,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with brain cancer each year, but Gilman said there’s no federal funding dedicated to the deadly disease.
“We’re doing this to fund the research and we’re doing this to raise awareness for this disease,” Gilman said. “The general public remains unaware of the magnitude of this disease.”
Gilman estimated that more than $100,000 has likely been raised, with donations expected to come in through the event. Gilman said it’s a cause that the community has wants to be a part of.
She also wants Think Fit for Kids to be a hopeful event. Gilman, whose 10-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor four years ago but is healthy today, knows everyone isn’t so lucky.
“You’re not going to walk into this event and see pictures of sick kids, no pulling on heartstrings,” Gilman said. “It’s a very fun, hopeful, focused event. Kids have a blast, parents have a blast.”
Club Fit is located at 584 North State Rd. in Briarcliff. For more information or to register, visit www.thinkfitforkids.org.
