GOah Noah Event Draws 150 Supporters

The fifth annual GOah NOah event drew about 150 families, friends and supporters to Stony Creek Metropark on Oct. 5 to run, walk and bike to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit.

New this year was a display of motor vehicles, ranging from a racing car to a historic tractor. Red T-shirts emblazoned with "GOah Noah!" and doughnuts from a local cider mill were a big hit. A raffle was held for three gift baskets geared toward girls, boys and golfers.

Co-chairs Renee Sullivan and Bob Wexler, both of Shelby Township, started the event in 2009 to help parents cop with medical crises. The event takes its name from their son, Noah Wexler, who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, medulloblastoma, at age 9. Each of the families stayed at the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit while Noah was undergoing surgery at Children's Hospital of Michigan. Now 14, Noah is healthy and doing well in school.

"We are so excited for the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit to be the recipient of the GOah Noah run/walk/bike event," said Executive Director Jennifer Litomiski. "It has been a true pleasure dealing with Renee and Noah on this event. They are dedicated to making this a very successful event to raise funds for our chapter and help our families and children."

According to Litomisky, the group nearly doubled its income this year over 2012 by adding new sponsors,  donors and a 5K trail run.

"We plan on making this one of our cornerstone events," Litomisky said.

According to Sullivan, the event was a hit with Noah, as well.

"Noah thought this year's event was the best one yet," she said. "The weather was in our favor since the rain ended once the event started and the fall colors were beautiful in the park. We plan to draw more runners for the trail next year and make it a bigger part of the event."

The event raises awareness of brain cancer in children and how services such as the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit can soften the edges of a family health crisis by providing a low-cost home away from home for families of children who are hospitalized.