Dr. Jordan Metzl Named as the 2018 Recipient of the AKTIV Against Cancer Award

NEW YORK - Oct. 26, 2018 - PRLog -- AKTIV Against Cancer, the organization co-founded by legendary runner Grete Waitz, today announced that Dr. Jordan Metzl will be the recipient of the 4th Annual AKTIV Against Cancer Award, which will be presented at a ceremony during the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon week on October 31st at the historic New York Athletic Club. The luncheon will be presented by Adidas and Technogym. Previous honorees of this award include the Rudin Family (2017), Meb Keflezighi (2016), and Mary Wittenberg (2015).

Dr. Metzl was selected as this year's award recipient for his commitment in the health and wellness space, and dedication to using exercise as a form of medicine. He is a nationally recognized sports medicine physician, best selling author, and fitness instructor who practices at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, voted annually as the top orthopedic hospital in the United States by US News and World Reports. Selected annually by New York Magazine as one of New York's top sports medicine doctors, and known for his passion for sports and fitness, Dr. Metzl is pioneering a connection between the worlds of fitness and medicine to actively engage patients in their own preventive health through activity. He created the IronStrength community fitness program, the country's first, physician-led fitness initiative which provides free group classes for thousands of people each year around the world.

"Across the spectrum of human health, there is no drug as effective as exercise. It works for everyone who takes it, young and old alike. As a sports medicine physician, my goal is fully aligned with AKTIV. I want to keep my patients moving to promote health and lessen the risk of disease." - Dr. Jordan Metzl

Kikkan Randall will be receiving this year's Inspiration Award at the luncheon. Kikkan is the most decorated cross-country ski athlete in history for Team USA.  She is a five-time Olympian having recently won a gold medal in 2018 in Pyeongchang in the team sprint, is a 13-time winner on World Cup victories along with 3 overall World Cup sprint titles, and has recorded 17 US National titles. Mrs. Randall is also an active proponent of living a healthy lifestyle and spreading the word about the need to receive medical check-ups early and often.  On May 31, 2018 just over 3 months after winning an Olympic gold medal, Kikkan was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Through her diagnosis and treatments, Kikkan has been an inspiration to many offering positivity and hope while also staying active and not letting her diagnosis define her.

AKTIV Against Cancer is proud to announce that Kikkan will serve as the newest athlete ambassador of the organization, joining athletes such as Jen Rhines, Mary Keitany, and Ajee Wilson, among others.

"Receiving this award has taken on even greater meaning over the last couple of months in becoming a cancer fighter myself and it is truly an honor.  Since 2012 I've had the opportunity to see firsthand the work that Aktiv Against Cancer does in their breathing rooms when the World Cup of skiing makes its annual stop in Oslo.  My teammates and I drew inspiration from the many patients we met each year and always looked forward to our workouts with them.  I am using that same inspiration now in my own treatments to be a role model for others." – Kikkan Randall, recipient of the Inspiration Award and Olympic Gold Medalist

"I'm looking so much forward to honoring two remarkable persons on October 31 st. Dr. Metzl for his tremendous work to promote physical activity and "live our brand" in such an inspiring manner, and to Kikkan Randall for being such a great inspiration to so many people both in Norway and in the US. The fact that she is now undergoing treatment and sharing her story in such an openhearted manner just makes this Inspiration Award so much more important and meaningful." – Helle Aanesen, co-founder of AKTIV Aktiv Against Cancer

Supported by corporate sponsors such as adidas and Technogym, the award was created to honor the legacy of nine-time New York City Marathon Champion and Norwegian running superstar Grete Waitz.  AKTIV Against Cancer was founded by Waitz and current Executive Director Helle Aanesen in Norway in 2007. After donating more than $15M and helping to create sixteen physical activity centers in cancer treatment facilities throughout Norway, AKTIV Against Cancer established its official presence in the United States in 2014 and is now supporting groundbreaking work in exercise oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. AKTIV Against Cancer has committed to funding $3.3 million towards the research of Dr. Lee Jones at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

ABOUT AKTIV AGAINST CANCER

AKTIV Against Cancer works to ensure that physical activity will become part of cancer treatment. We support cutting edge research on the benefits of exercise for the prevention and treatment of cancer, as well as the creation of fitness programs and facilities in cancer treatment centers. AKTIV Against Cancer was founded by 9-time NYC Marathon Champion and Norwegian running superstar Grete Waitz and current Executive Director Helle Aanesen in Norway in 2007. After among other having opened sixteen (16) physical activity centers in cancer hospitals throughout Norway, AKTIV Against Cancer established its official presence in the United States in 2014. AKTIV Against Cancer has committed to funding $ 3.3 million towards cutting edge exercise oncology research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The foundation also contribute to building up cancer treatment in Ethiopia by educating oncologists and cancer nurses and making sure their competence will be present at all University hospitals in the country.


Contact for AKTIV Against Cancer: Joe Favorito/917-566-8345/joefavorito2@gmail.com