Lavine: Help the Eve Haim Challenge

Editor's Note: New York State Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine represents the 13th A.D., which encompasses Glen Cove, Sea Cliff, Glenwood Landing and Bayville, among other areas. He is also a Glen Cove resident.     

We all know the importance of community and of looking out for one another. This is never more true than when someone is struggling with a debilitating disease. Recently, I spoke with Dan Haim, whose parents Bob and Eve are longtime, active, involved Sea Cliff residents. Dan told me he has spearheaded a public awareness and fundraising campaign in honor of his mother, who is battling myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), an acquired bone marrow failure disease that strikes approximately 18,000 people annually in our country – including many other friends and neighbors.

The Eve Haim Challenge: Racing Against MDS, will be promoted through the sponsorship of motor car racer Chase Mattioli at the Pocono Raceway on July 31 at the ARCA Weis Super Markets 125 and on Aug. 1 at the Sunoco/Red Cross 500, a NASCAR Sprint Cup event. The weekend, which attracts more than 100,000 spectators, as well as millions more through live TV coverage, is an excellent opportunity to generate attention and funds for the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, the foremost resource for information on this little-known disease.

Anyone who knows Eve can tell you that she is always willing to work for, fight for, or otherwise support any cause her neighbors, friends and family might need. This sponsorship is a chance to say thanks and to let her know that her community is behind her.

There is strength in numbers and we can all be a part of the battle. All donations at this time will be used toward getting out the word about MDS and helping the Haim's initial investment grow into greater financing for research into the fight against MDS. The hope is that donations at the racetrack and online could top $25,000 at this one race alone. Across the racing season, this could add up to at least $750,000 in donations. Information on donations can be found at firstgiving.com/NASCAR.

Dan Haim has told me that a bone marrow transplant match has been found for Eve. "However dangerous," he said, "this is the only cure for her condition which has now progressed to [Acute Myeloid Leukemia]."

I'm sure the community joins me in wishing Eve the best in her fight against MDS. Knowing the strength of will and force of character she employs in every cause she takes on, I would not hesitate to say that MDS has found a formidable adversary in our neighbor, Eve Haim.