7th Annual Om Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk

Additional information can be found at http://www.smilesforom.org.

DATE & LOCATION

Sun May 19, 2024 7:30am
Thompson Park
Thompson Drive and Lakeview Ave, Monroe Township, NJ US 08831

PARKING INFORMATION

• Park entrances will be open from 7:30am to 8:30am for the participants to enter the park. Note: Entrances will be closed from 8:30am to 10:30am (see instructions below if you arrive after 8:30am or need to leave before 10:30am).
• There will be rangers at the park entrances from Jamesburg (Forsgate Dr) and Perrineville Rd.  They will guide you to the parking lot.
• The gates will re-open for exit from the park ONLY after the 5K Run has completed, at around 10:30 am.
• If you arrive after 8:30am when the park entry is closed or if you need to leave before 10:30am, please park in the Fir Dr parking lots off of Perrineville Rd (near Soccer fields) or in Jamesburg (Railroad Ave area). It is a short walk from those parking lots/ areas to the event area near the Gazebo/ Zoo in Thompson Park.
• Please do not park in the High School parking lot.
• Pls bring your lawn chairs & blankets.

Organized by Monroe Indians for Civic Action (MICA) and supported by Agraj Seva Kendra, Indian Cultural Association of Monroe (ICAM), Sewa International - Central NJ and Guru Nanak Sikh Heritage.

PROGRAM GUIDE

Click here detailed Program Guide

T-SHIRT & BIB PICKUP

GRAND AMBASSADOR

The Grand Ambassador for this year’s Om Memorial 5K Run & 1M Walk is Stephen  Dennis,  a Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and brain cancer survivor. Learn more about Stephen Dennis here.

In August 2021, Stephen received a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition affecting joints and soft tissues. In February 2022, he was additionally diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer, likely stemming from prior radiation exposure. By August 2022, the cancer had progressed to Stage 4 Glioblastoma. His medical team endeavors to navigate the delicate balance between managing Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and combating cancer, but viable options dwindle. For those acquainted with Stephen, his altruism defines him. From volunteering at The Hands of Hope Food Pantry since childhood to organizing charity events during college, his benevolence knows no bounds. He embodies kindness, intellect, resilience, and love, an indispensable presence in our lives.

EVENT INFO

Click here for event information

COURSE MAP

Click here for 5K course map (track)

DIRECTIONS

Click here for directions to Thompson Park, Monroe Township, NJ

MEDALS

• 1st Place M & F Overall
• 1st, 2nd & 3rd Places for M & F in age groups - Under 10, 11-14, 15-18, 19-30, 31-50
• 1st & 2nd Places for M & F in age groups - 51-60, 61-70
• 1st Place for M & F in age groups - 71 and over
• Participant Medal for all participants under 10

Read Om's story

Learn more about Om Foundation

We would like to thank our community for their support in making the 6th Annual Om Memorial 5K Run & Walk 2022 a great success! Please check out the highlights of that event on our website at https://www.smilesforom.org/2023-5k-1k-recap.

HOW TO DONATE

We hope you will join us this year in making a difference in the community by supporting the Om Foundation in funding our work. There are multiple ways to donate-

• donate when you register for the event at www.SmilesForOm.org/runsignup 
• on our website at https://www.smilesforom.org/  
• on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smilesforom 
• on our Instagram page at http://instagram.com/smilesforom 
• Mail a check to: Om Foundation, 1 Scenic Way, Monroe Township, NJ 08831 (Tax Exempt EIN # 82-4993198) 
   

OUR GOALS

• Support research that focuses on childhood cancer
• Promote cancer awareness through education
• Bring smiles, positive attitudes, and the power of perseverance to children
• Provide service opportunities to help students get involved
• Strengthen our community by supporting those in need

OUR WORK

  - Support Pediatric Cancer Research

• Funded $150,000 to support Pediatric Cancer Research at Cancer Institute Of New Jersey (CINJ). Rutgers Foundation Press Release: https://tinyurl.com/omfdnpledge
• Pledged $50,000 to support developing a child life program at RWJ Cancer Hospital

  - Strengthen our community by supporting those in need

• Provided $30,000 in financial support to New Jersey families impacted by cancer

 - Bring smiles, positive attitudes, and power of perseverance to children

• Funded over $20,000 for Optimism programs in Monroe Township Schools and Library
• Annual ‘Month of Optimism’ events at Monroe Township Middle School each February
• Sponsored ‘Kindness Matters’ event for 587 sixth grade students
• Annual Optimism awards and scholarships at MTHS and MTMS
• Donated Lego table and Optimistic Om Mural at Monroe Township Library
• Annual Makerfest table at Monroe Township Library in March

 - Promote Pediatric Cancer Education & Awareness

• Sponsored High School students to attend BioConnect Oncology
• Leadership Development Programs at Rutgers University
• Sponsored 25 Monroe Township students to participate in Rutgers Oncology Olympiad
• Conducted Oncology Poster Contest at MTHS Green/Science Fair
• Donated these Oncology Posters to Pediatric Cancer Patients at RWJ Cancer Hospital
• Pediatric Cancer awareness banner at Municipal Plaza
  

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Om Foundation is a 501 (c)3 tax exempt nonprofit organization (EIN# 82-4993198). For sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

• Ketul Parikh:      Ketul@smilesforom.org or 908-267-2275