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Briarcliff Teen Organizes Second Cancer Spinathon

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. – Raising more than $5,000 for Briarcliff Manor cancer treatment programs was not enough for 14-year-old Jordana Cohen, who hopes to make the second annual Briarcliff Manor Spinathon for Pediatric Cancer even bigger than last year.

Briarcliff High School student Jordana Cohen, center, is organizing a second annual Spinathon this year to raise money for Pediatric Cancer research.

Briarcliff High School student Jordana Cohen, center, is organizing a second annual Spinathon this year to raise money for Pediatric Cancer research.

Photo Credit: Nathan Bruttell

Jordana helped coordinate a Spinathon last April to raise money for Pediatric Cancer treatment programs after the Pediatric Cancer Club was forced to cancel its annual “bikeathon” through the Bronx River Parkway. More than a hundred people from around Westchester came to spin at SpinSational Fitness Studio last year and helped raise more than $5,000 for local organizations fighting pediatric cancer

While she was excited about the amount of money raised and the increase in participation, Jordana said she’s hoping to do more this year.

“Cancer is such an awful disease and I’ve been so fortunate not to have it and I really wanted to do something more to help those who are suffering and battling with it so we could fight it together,” she said, adding that she also had a friend who died from cancer. “I’m hoping it’s going to be really big this year and I’m trying to get other schools around Westchester involved so I think it’s going to be really great this year.” 

Not content with just raising money through one annual event, Jordana also helped create Briarcliff High School’s Pediatric Cancer Club, which organizes fundraising and other programs throughout the school year. Jordana said the group recently completed TLC boxes full of baked goods, which they plan to distribute to local pediatric cancer patients.

“I’ve been to pediatric cancer luncheons for the last few years and every year I ask what I can do to help so a lot of what we do comes straight from them,” Jordana said. “The doctors I’ve met have been really great in helping us.”

Jordana’s little sister, sixth-grader Camryn, is also getting involved this year and hopes to take the reins once Jordana graduates from high school.

“It’s a really great cause and I want to help out people who are less fortunate than us,” Camryn said, adding that her older sister has been a big inspiration. “She did so much and so many people helped out and I want to keep that going when she can’t anymore.”

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s Club of Briarcliff Manor and SpinSational Fitness will host the second annual Spinathon on March 2 at SpinSational Fitness Studio at 450 N. State Road in Briarcliff Manor. To reserve a seat, donate or become involved, residents are asked to email pcfclub.briarcliff@gmail.com.

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