Walk will honor memory of S.B. resident

Alocal nonprofit organization that seeks to increase early detection of breast cancer among uninsured woman will host a fundraiser next weekend in memory of a South Brunswick resident who passed away earlier this year.

The first annual Walk for Diane 5K, hosted by the Amy Feiman Behar Foundation, will take place at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick on Nov. 14. All proceeds will go toward providing free screening mammograms to women without health insurance age 40 and older.

The walk will honor the memory of long-term Kendall Park resident Diane Goodwin, who passed away in August after a 16-year fight with breast cancer. She was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 1993 and was only 53 years old when she passed. Diane is survived by her two children, Tina and Robert, and her husband, John.

"She finally succumbed to this disease, but not without first making it clear that our family mission is to continue to find ways to help others," said John Goodwin. "With that in mind, the family of Diane Goodwin joins the Amy Foundation as it strives to help women identify this disease in its earliest stages when it can be most successfully treated."

Kendall Park resident Arie Behar started the Amy Foundation in 2007 a few months after his 49-year-old wife, Amy, passed away from breast cancer.

"Diane and my wife, Amy, were neighbors and friends who for years quietly shared their fears and hopes, their insights and emotional turmoil and their concern about the welfare of others — particularly the less fortunate in life," said Behar. "Their determination and courage are a source of strength for all those struggling to win the battle against breast cancer."

The idea for the Amy Foundation emerged while Amy was still fighting the disease. The Behars realized that early detection of breast cancer might be more beneficial than treatment in the later stages.

"During the time she was ill, we came to realize we put a lot of emphasis on treatment to cure people, but we realized the best way to deal with cancer is if you can find it in the early stages," said Behar. "Early detection does work when the cancer is found in a stage where it can still be removed, before it spreads to the rest of the body."

Last year the foundation teamed up with Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick to provide one free mammogram a day to low-income women. The original commitment was to give one free mammogram per day for 15 months. So far, the foundation has provided over 350 mammograms, but the 15-month contract will end in December.

"The ultimate idea is that every [uninsured] woman will be able to get a free mammogram every year," Behar said. "Early detection is something we are committed to. Any means of trying to detect the disease earlier is the right way to deal with cancer."

Behar and other organization affiliates hope the money raised from the 5K walk and from other fundraisers and donations throughout the year will allow the foundation to continue its commitment through 2010.

"We made a commitment to provide one free mammogram every day at the hospital. Every single day will be one free mammogram," Behar said. "And hopefully through our walk and bike [fundraisers], we can raise enough money for next year. Our intention is to continue to provide free mammograms."

The organization has raised about $160,000 since its inception. Since all organization participants are volunteers, there are no administration costs; therefore, all money raised goes directly toward providing mammograms for uninsured women.

The Amy Foundation has held two annual "Bike for Amy" fundraisers, and this will be its first annual "Walk for Diane." It has also received numerous donations from individuals.

"We put the money toward mammograms, [but] it's not the only thing we hope to do in the future," said Behar. "Giving to Saint Peter's is one idea that we follow through with, but the Amy Foundation board is constantly thinking about ways to use the money raised for anything else related to early detection."

Another organizational goal is to promote education, specifically about the importance of early detection. There are over 47 million uninsured people in the United States, half of whom are women, and there are over 41,000 deaths caused by breast cancer each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Everybody should know early detection could save lives," said Behar. "And the more people that come [to the event], the more people that will get involved with the idea of early detection."

The Amy Foundation planned the walk this year in an attempt to reach more people in the community.

"We wanted to have a walk this year because we wanted to appeal to more people in the community who may not know how or may not want to ride bikes," Behar said. "Our connection to the town is important."

Event organizers chose the park in New Brunswick to be close to Saint Peter's University Hospital, a reflection of their close partnership in this initiative.

The walk kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Easton Avenue and Huntington Street, across the street from the hospital.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., but people can register in advance at www.amyfoundation. org. The registration fee is $35, and additional donations are encouraged. Donations can be made by check payable to the Amy Foundation and mailed to: The Amy Foundation, 11 Maurice Court, Kendall Park, NJ 08824.

Volunteers are also welcome and necessary.

"We always need volunteers; we could use any volunteer," Behar said. "Even if they don't walk, their presence there is important for us."

Contact Jennifer Booton at

jbooton@gmnews.com.