Martha’s Kayak Takes to the Water for the Fifth Time

“Kayaking was her escape from reality. She’d been kayaking for years before she was ever diagnosed with breast cancer, but after it was her way to have a mini vacation for the day, to just go out on the water and find peace,” Roger Leider said of his wife, Martha Leider, who was a patient of Dr. Ron Israeli.

Martha passed away in November, 2017 after she spent two and a half years fighting a breast cancer recurrence. Her family reflected on her love of kayaking and channeled that into a one-of-a-kind way to give back to the breast cancer community. They created Martha’s Kayak, a non-profit organization that facilitates complementary kayaking outings for patients and families dealing with breast cancer. Over the years, the family has remained in contact with NYBRA and our Patient Empowerment Program Clinical Director, Mollie Sugarman. We have been privileged to speak with them about the organization over the years.

This year, the organization will embark on its Fifth Annual Kayaking Excursion on Saturday July 8, 2023 at Empire Kayaks in Island Park, NY.

Read on for more about Martha and the organization, including words from Martha’s daughter, Sydney, or click here for details on how to donate or participate in the event.