The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center (AHC) was established in 1968 as New York’s first primary care program specifically for teens’ health needs. In the decades since, it has grown to become a model of excellence in adolescent health care nationally and worldwide, providing comprehensive medical, mental health, and reproductive health services to more than 8,000 young people annually—at no cost to patients.
The AHC “Run for Teens” is one of more than 600 charity partners in the New York City Marathon, raising tens of thousands of dollars each year to directly support patient services. Here is one runner’s story:
Andrew’s Story
I grew up going to a sleepaway camp where the motto was Noblesse Oblige, which essentially means that because you’re noble, you’re obliged to be noble. I’ve tried to bring that spirit to everything I do, but nothing was more meaningful than this. Early in my career, I was fortunate enough to work alongside some incredible mental health policymakers and providers. Ever since, I’ve been trying to do what I can to support mental health institutions, especially those serving our neighbors in most need of resources.
It is not lost on me that I’m only able to participate because I was fortunate enough to be affiliated with Sinai. I felt that responsibility throughout this process and was so honored.
Every miserable training session—the failed reps, the nagging injuries, the brutal heat, the miserable cold—all of it was in service of a larger mission.
Seeing the city as never before
The training was incredibly hard. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife. I am standing on her shoulders.
The ability to run for a larger cause was by far the most rewarding part. I was also overwhelmed by how much my friends, family, and the entire city came out to support the runners in every nook and cranny of the route. Seeing my loved ones screaming at me in multiple boroughs was frankly the most indescribable love I’ve ever felt in my life. It only took me 30 seconds on the Verrazano to understand that the running is just totally beside the point. The marathon is a way to see how much your friends, family, and neighbors love you and how amazing this city is. It’s a giant excuse for everyone across the city to be the best version of themselves. It's endless, boundless love.
Returning to Mount Sinai was…
Indescribably motivating. By that point in the race, you’re almost at the end and fighting your legs and doing some pretty bizarre mental math gymnastics to get through 5th Avenue. It was hard to think of anything else at that point except my breathing and the music in my ears (thanks for getting me through this, Young Jeezy). I had tunnel vision by that point and was slowing down pretty significantly. But once I saw Sinai, I literally did a soldier's salute to the hospital and was reminded of why I was here.
My daughter was born at Mount Sinai only a few years ago, and it was the first time I had seen the building since. When I gave her a giant smooch at mile 8, it gave me an enormous boost. Now, at mile 20-whatever (at that point, numbers and geography begin to lose all meaning and context), I thought about her and the amazing kids being served by Mount Sinai and kept moving.
Feeling inspired? You can start your own fundraiser or contact our office for assistance: giving [at] mountsinai.org (giving[at]mountsinai[dot]org)
You can make a difference in the lives of young people.
