Push the Pedal to the Medal at the Mandell JCC’s 5th Annual All Wheel Derby to Benefit Alyssa’s Angel Fund; Sunday, September 1, 2013

Get ready for a morning of cruisin’ on big wheels, scooters and bikes on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at the 5th Annual All Wheel Derby at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT. The All Wheel Derby, formerly known as the Big Wheel Derby, will help raise funds for Alyssa’s Angel Fund.

Alyssa’s Angel Fund (AAF) was founded by Gayle and Steve Temkin in honor of their daughter, Alyssa, who has Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1a (GSD). The Temkins founded AAF to give individuals the ability to travel to the University of Florida in Gainesville to meet Dr. David Weinstein, all expenses paid, and receive the medical attention they need. AAF covers all expenses for these families, including medical care, Argo cornstarch dietary needs, and supplies.

The All Wheel Derby was created by the Temkins in collaboration with the Mandell JCC Family Room Parenting Center to help raise funds for Alyssa’s Angel Fund. Highlights of the day will include a non-competitive bike, tricycle or scooter ride around the racetrack at the Mandell JCC, face painting, arts and crafts, a bounce house, and more.

In addition to the All Wheel Derby raising funds for Alyssa’s Angel Fund, the Mandell JCC will be offering genetic screening and information at a Health and Wellness Informational Fair at the Derby. Glycogen Storage Disease type 1a is a rare Jewish genetic disorder. Through genetic testing, people can find out if they are carriers the gene for this, and many other diseases. There will be a trained phlebotomist on site who will perform the screening, and then a few weeks later, Dr. Adam Borgida, a physician at Hartford Hospital’s Prenatal Testing Center, will receive the confidential results and his genetic counselors will help everyone understand the next steps. This test is generally covered by insurance, however a potential fee can range to about $25. Those interested should provide their insurance cards.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the Derby starts at 9:30 a.m. Registration is free with a suggested donation of $20 per family to Alyssa’s Angel Fund. For more information, contact Jane Pasternak, 860-231-6342, jpasternak@mandelljcc.org, or contact the Member Services Center, 860-236-4571, or visit www.mandelljcc.org. The All Wheel Derby is made possible by the following Mandell JCC Partners (as of 8/6/2013): Timbergyms, CM Concessions, Data-Mail, and TCBY.

The Mandell Jewish Community Center is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and a member of the JCC Association of North America. For updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter. All dates and programs subject to change.