The Jog for The Jake, a 5k road race, will be held Sunday, June 16, 2002, Father's Day, in memory of the late Dr. Lawrence Jacobs, former Head of the Department of Neurology at the State University of New York at Buffalo and Chief of Neurology at Buffalo General Hospital. He was also a world-renowned multiple sclerosis researcher, who developed interferon beta-1a as the first medication proven to slow or stop the progression of disability due to MS.

Delaware Park will be the site of the race, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. A special Kids' Race will also be held at 8:45 a.m., after a quick warm-up at 8:30, and will feature a one-mile race for children, who will receive a finish award and a T-shirt. It will provide an opportunity for children, parents and friends to participate in an event designed to encourage fitness and fun in memory of Dr. Jacobs. In this way the children can share in the celebration of his life. Kids can run the one-mile distance accompanied by an adult or on their own, with adult supervision.

Volunteer opportunities are also available. Volunteers are needed for pre-race packet stuffing, labeling, registration, race day setup and cleanup, food service, water stops, awards presentation, timing and general race-day assistance.

A post-race party will be held at the Delaware Park Lodge and will feature live, New Orleans-style Zydeco music by Lee-Ron Zydeco and his Hot Tamales. Foods served post-race will follow the same theme, and include red beans and rice, barbecue sandwiches and other Louisiana favorites.

Registration for the 5k race is $17 on or before June 13, 2002 and $20 after June 13. Age groups include: 14 years and under, 15-19 yrs., 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-79, and 80 and over. Same-day registration is available beginning at 7:30 a.m. near Parkside Lodge, Delaware Park.

Each first place age group finisher, male and female, receives a $100 gift certificate to Fleet Feet Sports. Overall male and female receive a $200 gift certificate to Fleet Feet Sports. Masters (40 and older) male and female receives a $200 gift certificate to Fleet Feet. Second and third place finishers will receive trophies. No duplicate awards. Finish line by Emery Fisher.

Dr. Jacobs, known as "The Jake," by friends and colleagues, died Nov. 2, 2001 after a short battle with cancer. Race Directors are Susan Epstein, Director of the Center for Women with Disability, part of The Jacobs Neurological Institute at Buffalo General, and Rich Grimm, a local attorney.

Epstein is a former world-class runner who, in the 1980s, just missed making the Olympic team, and was a contemporary of Joan Benoit, Francine Larrieu-Smith and Bill Rodgers. The former Susan King was a star at the University of Alabama, finished third in the 1983 Boston Marathon and traveled the world, competing as a sponsored runner.

Dr. Jacobs was co-medical director of The Center for Women with Disability, a clinic designed specifically to serve the preventive health and wellness needs of women with disabilities. Though the clinic grew out of the needs of female multiple sclerosis patients, women with a variety of disabling conditions are seen there. Services include gynecological and reproductive health screens, urologic procedures and wellness education.

All proceeds from the race will go the Lawrence D. Jacobs Memorial Fund, and support patient care and research at The Jacobs Neurological Institute. Research by Dr. Jacobs and his team resulted in the development of interferon beta-1a, or Avonex, as it is known, the first medication proven to slow or stop the progression of disability due to relapsing MS, the most common form of the disease. The JNI cares for not only MS patients, but is doing research and treating patients for stroke, vascular disease and other conditions, and has developed a state-of-the-art neuroimaging center.

For more information on the Jog for The Jake, or how to volunteer, call Kristin at The Jacobs Neurological Institute at 859-7575. Feel free to visit the Web site, at jogforthejake.com!