Swimming and Cycling for Fran Wallach

13-year old Ryan Dean took on a special project tied in with the recent celebration of his Bar Mitzvah and this Sunday he hopes it will result in a successful fundraiser for a cause that is near and dear to him.

Ryan and his family have organized a cycle and swimathon in memory of his grandmother who survived breast cancer before losing her battle with ovarian cancer nearly four years ago.  Fran was a teacher in the Manchester Township School District and along with her family owned and operated Wallach’s Farm Market & Deli in Toms River.

When Ryan and his mother Renee decided to move forward with their idea for a fundraiser they contacted Lauren Rosen whose mother Elaine Albert also lost her life to the same disease.  They in turn reached out to Ray and Shelly Lynnworth who own Toms River Fitness and Aquatic Center and together they have joined forces to host this Sunday’s

The event will take place from 10:30-12:30 at Toms River Fitness which is located in the K-Mart Plaza on Route 37 East.  You are asked to make a $50 donation and cycle or swim for one hour. No cycle experience is needed and refreshments will be provided.  All money raised will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.

Of course you can still help out this worthwhile endeavor without swimming or riding by donating through ovariancycle.kintera.org/TomsRiver 2016.   If you then click on the “Learn More” box it will take you to the fundraising page and you will see Ryan Dean’s name on the right side.  I would encourage you to make any donation you can and help Ryan achieve his goal for what he hopes will become an annual event to help keep his grandmothers memory alive.

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women. More than 220,000 women were expected to be diagnosed this year and 14,000 will die from the disease with about half of them over the age of 63. Organizers are still looking for those who want to cycle or swim. Check out ovariancycle.kintera.org/TomsRiver 2016.