Strength to Strength Partners with Ski's Open Heart Foundation Strength and Hope Relay 9.11.13
On the morning of September 11, 2013, Ski's Open Heart Foundation held their second annual Strength and Hope Relay to raise funds for first responders from 9/11 who became ill by sacrificing their lives to save others. Strength to Strength is proud to be a sponsor of such an incredible relay which began at Mountak Point at 5:30am on Wednesday, September 11th and finished on Thursday afternoon September 12th at the 9/11 Memorial. Sarri Singer, Director of Strength to Strength, met the group as they completed the relay. "It was an honor to be there to greet such an incredible group of individuals. There were 9/11 survivors, family members, veterans and supporters who either biked or ran in this relay. The funds raised will go to those that need assistance and we should be doing everything we can to assist these brave first responders and their families. Strength to Strength will continue to work with Ski's Open Heart Foundation to assist all those whose lives were changed forever on 9/11". Strength to Strength looks forward to partnering again next year for the Strength and Hope Relay.
Ski's Open Heart Foundation was created by the surviving family of Mark "Ski" Gajewski to honor his memory and continue his legacy by aiding the heroes of 9/11 who selflessly helped rescue Americans on that day and worked at the hazardous site for months to clean-up after the attack. Many put their country first, but later became ill and did not have the insurance coverage needed to satisfy increasing medical bills as well as dealing with lost wages from time taken off from work. Over a decade later, there are still heroes and their families who are unable to afford basic essentials, such as food, shelter and clothing.
Mark "Ski" Gajewski was one of those heroes. He was one of the first responders on site after the attack at Ground Zero. “Ski”, as he was lovingly called, was a former Marine and an Operating Engineer for Local 30. He also managed his own emergency repair service, where he continued his trade as a welder. On September 11th, he brought his skills and equipment to the site, which many of the responders often borrowed during the clean up. Ski put the needs of his country ahead of everything at that time, spending three full months at Ground Zero without coming home. He was on site until the last day of clean-up for a total of 2,900 hours. Ski experienced things that even his military training could not have prepared him for. For ten years, the World Trade Center Monitoring Program took care of all medical needs, but his eligibility for coverage ended when he was diagnosed with a rare form of Lung Cancer, affecting a very small number of people. On December 17, 2011 he took his last breath after battling Stage 4 Lung Cancer. He is survived by his wife, Debra, and children, Crystal and Sean who tirelessly run Ski's Open Heart Foundation in his memory.
