Long Island Cranx Foundation Rides for Stony Brook Children's

On July 27, the Long Island Cranx Foundation, which completes "Epic Rides For A Cause" biked to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital to deliver a check for $22,000 in support of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Child Life Program and the Pediatric Emergency Department Expansion project. The Foundation has pledged a gift of $50,000 over 5 years, and has already surpassed its first-year goal of $10,000. 

With the help of word-of-mouth, grassroots fundraising, social media, and an event held on April 9^th called “The Epic-High Five”, $22,000 was raised in about 4 months to help aid the project that will double the number of patient exam rooms and pediatric emergency specialists; expand the child playroom; purchase books and toys; and bolster a pet therapy program. 

Brian LeDonne of Mount Sinai and Larry Alvarez of Sound Beach, friends for more than 6 years, were among the riders (Roy, Matthew, Loreta, Antonio, Larry & Brian) on April 9^th who cycled for 20 hours in the woods and endured 5 grueling laps on the 30-mile Glacier Ridge/Overton Trail System (GROT) on Long Island’s Glacial Moraine. 

Matthew Herschaft of Bayport and Brian founded the Long Island Cranx Foundation in 2021 as a Registered 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization. The group has grown to 15 thrill-seeking mountain bikers and roadies from Suffolk County, with the collective goal of giving back to charities and the community in which they live. Brian says, "I'm impressed by Stony Brook Children's Hospital and its medical experts. Children's health is top-of-mind for me as my wife is pregnant. We're expecting our first child on October 3^rd." 

Larry is ecstatic that the foundation will have the opportunity each year to help meet Suffolk County's growing demand for pediatric emergency services. He joined Stony Brook Medicine's MRI Department in 2010 and is now the lead MRI tech, overseeing the cardiac MRI program and the Child Life Program's imaging service. He says, "I've been at Stony Brook Children's Hospital for 11 years and have seen it grow and build. Every day, I'm grateful for the opportunity to help families and their children, and a lot of money is needed to expand the pediatric emergency room. Knowing that the ER will continue to get bigger because we are helping to contribute is something special to be a part of." 

Stony Brook Children's Hospital is Suffolk County's only children's hospital offering the most advanced pediatric specialty care in the region. The pediatric emergency department cares for about 21,000 patients per year.   

Larry is ecstatic that the foundation will have the opportunity each year to help meet Suffolk County's growing demand for pediatric emergency services. He joined Stony Brook Medicine's MRI Department in 2010 and is now the lead MRI tech, overseeing the cardiac MRI program and the Child Life Program's imaging service. 

Stony Brook Children's Hospital is Suffolk County's only children's hospital offering the most advanced pediatric specialty care in the region. The pediatric emergency department cares for about 21,000 patients per year.