Oncologist runs for Team Lifeline in memory of beloved Monsey patient

Oncologist runs for Team Lifeline in memory of beloved Monsey patient

Eli Gottesfeld’s z”l, brother, Shalom Meir, left, Dr. Andrew Silverman, and Eli’s sister, Yehudis, are pictured together. Shalom Meir joined the doctor, and his sister at race end before the finish line. (Benji Weintraub for Chai Lifeline)
Eli Gottesfeld’s z”l, brother, Shalom Meir, left, Dr. Andrew Silverman, and Eli’s sister, Yehudis, are pictured together. Shalom Meir joined the doctor, and his sister at race end before the finish line. (Benji Weintraub for Chai Lifeline)

Dr. Andrew Silverman, who was an oncology fellow at Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian at Columbia University Medical Center, treated a young patient, Eli Gottesfeld of Monsey, N.Y.

Eli, who had a congenital heart defect, had a heart transplant in 2005, but still he struggled with complications. In 2016, Dr. Silverman first met Eli, a Chai Lifeline client, and worked with him for two years. Eli died in November 2018.

When Dr. Silverman asked Eli’s mother what kept her going all these years, her answer was that “God, family, doctors, nurses, and Chai Lifeline helped them get by.” He was drawn to Chai Lifeline’s mission of providing social, emotional, and financial support to children with life-threatening or lifelong illnesses and their families—and was inspired to give back.

An avid runner, Dr. Silverman joined Team Lifeline, an endurance training program that brings teams of people to destination races across the country to raise funds and awareness for Chai Lifeline. On January 27, Dr. Silverman and Eli’s sister, Yehudis, ran the Miami Half Marathon in his memory.

Dr. Silverman and Yehudis ran alongside 300 fellow Team Lifeline runners, the largest charity team on the course. Each year Team Lifeline participates in the Miami Marathon/ Half Marathon, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon/ Half Marathon/ 10K, and NYC Marathon. Go to www.teamlifeline.org for more information.

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