Sunday: 'Think Fit' Aims to Fight Pediatric Tumors

On Sunday, a local foundation that works to combat pediatric brain tumors will hold one of its biggest events of the year,

Called Think Fit for Kids, a fundraiser with local ties, will hosted for the third year, at Club Fit in Briarcliff Manor. It is organized by A Kids' Brain Tumor Care, a foundation that is based in Chappaqua. Its executive director is Amy Weinstein, who lives in Chappaqua.

Running from 2-5 p.m., the day will include several family friendly events, including a large zumba class, basketball, mommy and me classes and basketball. There will be several special guests, including New York Giants defensive captain Justin Tuck, former Knicks basketball player John Wallace, former Mets baseball player Edgardo Alfonzo, along with the Mets' mascot, Mr. Met.

Services will also include a silent auction with an array of prizes, face painting and tattoos, food and a DJ.

Since first being held in 2011, the event has been a boon to Think Fit.

"It's sort of taken on a life of its own, actually," said Kim Gilman, a Chappaqua resident and chair for the event. 

Think Fit's fundraisers have pulled in major donations each year, raising about $155,000 in 2011 and about $170,000 in 2012. This year, the goal is to raise far more; even before the Sunday gathering, the group's website notes that it has raised $123,045.

Proceeds from the previous years, Gilman said, have been disbursed to fund a pediatric brain tumor research project at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The foundation's goal is to improve what is available for fighting brain tumors.

"The Foundation is dedicated to finding more effective, less toxic and less punishing treatments for eradicating brain tumors in children," its website statement notes. "This goal is achieved by accelerating the pace of promising scientific pediatric brain tumor research through advocacy and fundraising."

Think Fit has many supporters, from large coporate sponsors, to local businesses from New Castle and Mount Kisco who provided auction items.

The event has no official registration fee, but people are ask to make a suggested donation. What also makes it notable, Gilman explained, is how families can participate in it together.