Morningside Heights Woman Honors Sister With 'Run For Research'

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, NY — This weekend hundreds of runners will take to Riverside Park to raise money for brain aneurysm research in a race with local roots.

One of the main organizers of the race is Morningside Heights resident Lauren Sherwin, whose mother founded the TeamCindy Run for Research in honor of her sister Cynthia Lynn "Cindy" Sherwin who died of a ruptured aneurysm in 2007.

"It’s a way to raise money and raise awareness so people like me, who never really heard of an aneurysm prior to my sister having one, know what it is," Sherwin told Patch.

Brain aneurysms don't get as much funding and don't have the recognition that other diseases such as cancer do, which is why the annual TeamCindy run's growth from a small event to one that brings in hundreds of racers has been "inspiring," Sherwin said. Many of the people who run in the race are families and friends of people affected by a brain aneurysm and brain aneurysm survivors, Sherwin said.

"Being part of this team and being part of the race and seeing its growth — It’s amazing," Sherwin said. "I think I did it before because it was a way for me to help with my grieving process. But now I see that it’s really working."

All of the money raised by the TeamCindy Run For Research benefits the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, an organization that has been leading brain aneurysm awareness, education, support, advocacy and reserach efforts since the 90s. The foundation estimates that six million people in the United States have a brain aneurysm and that 30,000 will suffer a rupture each year. Of those 30,000 an estimated 60 percent will survive, but about 66 percent of survivors suffer permanent neurological defects.

"It has been great to work with TeamCindy over the years and the Run for Research is a great way to honor Cindy’s memory and her love of competing in marathons and triathlons," Brain Aneurysm Foundation Executive Director Christine Buckley said in a statement. "Funds raised at local events such as this have a global impact on the larger brain aneurysm community."

The fifth annual TeamCindy “Run for Research” will begin around 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, in Riverside Park and will raise money to fund crucial research for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Interested runners will be able to sign up for the race starting at 8 a.m. at West 103rd Street and Riverside Drive.

Photos courtesy Lauren Sherwin