Summer Jam falls on Father’s Day weekend, which is just fine with Rachel Heimler. The first-grade teacher from Manhattan participates in honor of her father, Richard, who died of lung cancer in 2017.

Running is Heimler’s jam, something she started doing during COVID to get outside and get some exercise. So when she saw a social media post about the event, she thought it would be a fun thing to do on a Saturday.

GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Summer Jam 5K Your Way raises awareness and funds for lung cancer. It’s a virtual event, started in 2020, that enables individuals and teams to participate from anywhere across the U.S. or around the world. You can walk, run, hike, or even dance for 3.1 miles—aka, 5k.

“I asked a few friends to join me, and next thing I knew we had raised over $2,000,” said Heimler. “We all ran or walked in different places, including my mom in New Jersey and my brother in California.” Heimler ran her first Summer Jam 5K in Central Park.

Heimler’s first Summer Jam was so successful that it’s become a regular event on her calendar. “I like the idea that everyone can participate wherever they are,” she said. “You feel like you’re together even though you’re not physically in the same place.”

A Summer Jam family affair.

Last year, Heimler ran in East Hampton, a place she and her dad spent many Father’s Day weekends together. This year, she’ll be in Florida for her grandmother’s 90th birthday. As part of her Summer Jam, she’ll be running a lap around her grandmother’s apartment complex with her dad’s brothers and mom (aka, her grandmother) her mother, her brother and her cousins.

Richard Heimler was on the board of Lung Cancer Alliance, now GO2 for Lung Cancer. “The organization was really special to my dad. Staying connected to the organization and continuing to advocate for lung cancer is important to me.”

Finally, Heimler has advice for people who might be considering signing up for Summer Jam. “You have nothing to lose,” she said. “You can participate any way you want, and it’s just a fun way to connect with people all over the world.” Heimler adds that for people thinking of creating a team (here’s hers), “you’ll probably be surprised by how many friends and family are willing to support you and do something for a good cause.”

Learn more or sign up today to participate in the Summer Jam National 5K Your Way on June 18.