March 28: Saddle River, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation is thrilled to announce the 15th Anniversary Susan Zabransky Hughes Memorial 5K Run/Walk. Runners and walkers will begin at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saddle River on Saturday, April 25, rain or shine, and funds will benefit cervical cancer research taking place at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI).
This race, named in honor of Susan Zabransky Hughes, has become a staple in the Saddle River community and surrounding towns. Zabransky Hughes was a beloved resident who died from cervical cancer in 2011 when she was 46 years old, and the 5K honors her memory.
“Although we love and miss Susan dearly, this race keeps her legacy alive and raises vital funds for a cause that’s dear to my heart,” said Susan Zabransky, mother of Susan Zabransky Hughes. “We are so proud of the wonderful research happening at the Center for Discovery and Innovation, and we look forward to supporting it!”
The cervical cancer research program at the CDI, an advanced research institution founded by Hackensack Meridian Health to rapidly translate innovations in science to improve human health, is led by Olivier Loudig, Ph.D.
“We are so fortunate to once again be the beneficiary of the proceeds from this important community run,” said Dr. Loudig. “The philanthropic support we receive is not just a tribute to Susan’s legacy, but a vital investment in cervical cancer research – critical work that is changing lives and shaping the future of care.”
The 5K, which is certified and sanctioned by USA Track & Field (USATF), is the main event organized by the all-volunteer Run for Sue Committee. The committee, led by Susan Zabransky, has raised awareness and more than $2.6 million in donations in support of Hackensack Meridian Health initiatives since 2011. Fundraising from Run for Sue has underwritten major projects, including Susan’s Suite, a 10-bed inpatient unit at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, the Susan Zabransky Hughes Memorial Scholarship at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and Kyle’s Teen Lounge at Hackensack Meridian Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, at Hackensack University Medical Center, built in honor of a Saddle River resident who passed away in 2019 after fighting osteosarcoma.
According to estimates from the American Cancer Society, about 13,490 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed nationwide this year, and about 4,200 women will die from the disease.
Those interested in participating in the Susan Zabransky Hughes 5K Run/Walk can register as individuals or create a team. To register or purchase a sponsorship, visit GiveHMH.org/Zabransky5K. To learn more about the event, please contact strategicevents@hmhn.org.
The race supports the Be The Difference campaign at Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. Launched in September 2024, the Be The Difference campaign is a transformational effort focusing on four key pillars: enhancing the delivery of patient care, accelerating groundbreaking research and discovery, expanding access to care for all and revolutionizing medical education while supporting the nursing profession. Through this ambitious initiative, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation aims to reshape health care for patients, clinicians and the communities it serves, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future.
