Mayor's Walk to Break the Silence

The 21st Annual Mayor's 5K Run/Walk to Break the Silence that raises awareness and funds for the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) and the Maureen Fund, will be held this Sunday, Oct. 16 beginning at 10 a.m.

The race, sponsored by the township and the Downtown West Orange Alliance, in collaboration with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, was formerly known as the Mayor's 5K Downtown Classic. 

The race is in honor Maureen Roehnelt, who was an assistant to former New Jersey Gov. Richard J. Codey when she succumbed to the disease in 2006.

Ovarian cancer survivor and West Orange resident, Shari-Beth Susskind has helped organize this year’s race in conjunction with the Northern NJ NOCC, the township of West Orange and the Downtown West Orange Alliance.

Operating out of the Hackensack University Cancer Center, the Maureen Fund was created to assist in prevention, detection and the improvement of the outcomes of women who have ovarian cancer. 

The NOCC raises awareness and education about the disease. 

The township declared September as Ovarian Cancer month, placing teal ribbons in schools, on trees and on light posts. 

. In an effort to garner more participation, organizers are turning to members of the medical community. 

This year, organizers have added a new challenge to participants with the Top Doc award. The award will be given to the participating doctor who comes in first in the race. 

Organizers have also added a new level to sponsorship called “The Teal Pledge,” where participants who pay $100 will have a lawn sign posted along the race route that says “Dr. X is helping Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer.” 

To register, go to walkforovariancancer.com. For more information contact the NOCC-Northern New Jersey Chapter at  NorthernNJ@ovarian.org or (862) 210-9289 or the Downtown West Orange Alliance at downtown@westorange.org  or (973) 325-4109.