Community

Clarkstown Teen Coca Bernard, Leukemia Survivor, Launches Coca Strong 5K/10K for Rare Disease Awareness

Published

1 year ago

July 21, 2025

Clarkstown, NY – At just 17 years old, Coca Bernard of Clarkstown has already faced more medical challenges than most people encounter in a lifetime. A leukemia survivor and advocate for rare disease awareness, Coca is now channeling his journey into action by organizing the inaugural Coca Strong 5K/10K at Rockland Lake State Park on August 3rd.

Coca was first diagnosed with leukemia at age 13, a life-altering moment that led to two years of intensive chemotherapy treatments at Westchester Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Just as he began to recover, another setback arrived. In December 2023, he was diagnosed with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)—a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease likely triggered by his prior treatments.

“Everything changed overnight—twice,” Coca said. “But what kept me going was hope and the kindness of others.”

While still adjusting to the reality of requiring lifelong care for aHUS, Coca was approached by Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, which had been following his journey. At the same time, he ran his first 5K for breast cancer awareness—and something clicked.

“Seeing people come together for something bigger than themselves lit a spark in me,” he said. “It gave me a sense of hope I hadn’t felt in a while and made me think about the families who are battling rare diseases in silence.”

Instead of using his Make-A-Wish opportunity for a personal experience, Coca chose to give back. He envisioned the Coca Strong 5K/10K, a community race to raise money and awareness for families living with rare diseases. With the help of Make-A-Wish, which has fully covered event expenses, nearly 100% of proceeds from race registrations and sponsorships will go directly to Global Genes, a nonprofit supporting those affected by rare genetic conditions.

Set for Sunday, August 3rd from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Rockland Lake State Park in Valley Cottage, the event is expected to draw hundreds of participants from around the region.

Coca has been hands-on from the beginning—meeting with sponsors, creating social media content, designing race shirts and medals, and even recording training videos.

“He’s poured his heart into this,” said a spokesperson from Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley. “It’s more than just a race—it’s a movement of hope led by a young man who’s been through more than most adults.”

Coca’s message is clear: even though rare diseases often go unseen, the people living with them are all around us.

“They deserve just as much support, compassion, and hope as anyone else,” he said.

Event Details:

🗓 Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
🕢 Time: 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
📍 Location: Rockland Lake State Park, Valley Cottage, NY
🔗 [Link to Register or Donate – Available in the Comments Below]

For more information, visit the Coca Strong event page or follow @CocaStrong5K on social media.

Community

7 Things to Do in Rockland County This November Before Winter Arrives

Published

14 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

November is a great time to get out and enjoy the final days of fall before colder temperatures and winter weather arrive. From hiking and scenic walks to local farms, historic attractions and holiday shopping, Rockland County offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season.

Here are seven things to add to your November calendar.

1. Go Hiking at Bear Mountain State Park

“Bear Mountain State Park, Perkins Memorial Tower Hudson River view”

Enjoy the beautiful scenery at Bear Mountain State Park, where visitors can explore hiking trails, walk around Hessian Lake and take in panoramic views from Perkins Memorial Tower. The park also offers the Trailside Museums and Zoo and seasonal ice skating. Check hours and seasonal access before visiting.

2. Enjoy a Walk Along the Hudson River

“Nyack Beach State Park Hudson River”

Take advantage of the cooler weather with a walk at Nyack Beach State Park, Tallman Mountain State Park in Sparkill or Rockland Lake State Park in Congers. These parks offer beautiful scenery, walking paths and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

3. Explore Rockland County’s History

“Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site lighthouse”

Visit Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site to learn about Rockland County’s role in the American Revolution. Other interesting destinations include the Historical Society of Rockland County and the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center in Nyack.

4. Visit a Local Farm

“Orchards of Concklin Pomona”

November is a great time to support local farmers. Stop by Orchards of Concklin in Pomona or Dr. Davies Farm in Congers for seasonal products, baked goods, cider and other fall favorites. Check seasonal hours before visiting.

5. Plan a Family Outing at Palisades Center

“Palisades Center West Nyack”

When the weather turns cold or rainy, Palisades Center in West Nyack offers shopping, dining and indoor entertainment for families, including games, climbing activities and other attractions.

6. Get a Head Start on Holiday Shopping

“Downtown Nyack”

Explore local shops and boutiques in Nyack, Piermont, Pearl River and Suffern. November is a great time to find unique gifts, attend craft fairs and support Rockland County’s small businesses before the holiday rush.

7. Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Take advantage of the remaining mild days to prepare for winter. Check your heating system, clean gutters, protect outdoor faucets, inspect weatherstripping and make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

Enjoy November Close to Home

From hiking at Bear Mountain, walking at Rockland Lake to exploring local parks, farms and downtown shopping districts, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Rockland County before winter arrives.

Get outside, support local businesses and make the most of the final days of fall!

Community

Halloween May Be Over, But Your Pumpkins Still Have Plenty Of Life Left In Them!

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Before tossing those jack-o’-lanterns and fall decorations in the trash, consider turning them into delicious seasonal recipes, making homemade treats for your dogs or donating them to a local farm.

Millions of pumpkins are discarded every year after Halloween, with many ending up in landfills. But those leftover pumpkins can serve a purpose beyond decorating your front porch.

Turn Leftover Pumpkins Into Delicious Recipes

If your pumpkins are still fresh and have not been carved, painted or treated with chemicals, you may be able to use the pumpkin flesh and seeds in a variety of recipes.

Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make:

Homemade pumpkin bread and muffins.
Pumpkin soup and roasted pumpkin dishes.
Pumpkin pancakes and waffles.
Roasted pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.
Pumpkin puree for pies, desserts and other recipes.

Don’t forget your four-legged family members! Plain pumpkin puree can also be used to make homemade dog treats. Many dogs enjoy pumpkin, which contains fiber and nutrients that can be a healthy addition to their diet when served in appropriate amounts.

Try making simple pumpkin dog biscuits using plain pumpkin puree, oats and dog-safe ingredients. Avoid adding sugar, spices, salt or artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Also, remove the stem and never feed dogs moldy or spoiled pumpkin.

Donate Your Pumpkins to Local Farms

Another option is to give your leftover pumpkins to local farmers, animal sanctuaries or livestock rescues.

Pumpkins can be a nutritious seasonal supplement for animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. They contain moisture and nutrients that can make them a welcome treat when incorporated appropriately into an animal’s diet.

Before donating, keep these important safety tips in mind:

Only donate fresh, untreated pumpkins.
Remove candles, plastic decorations and other foreign materials.
Avoid pumpkins covered in paint, glitter or other chemicals.
Never donate moldy, rotten or spoiled pumpkins.
Contact the farm first to make sure it accepts pumpkin donations and that the pumpkins are suitable for its animals.

Help Reduce Food Waste After Halloween

Whether you turn your pumpkins into homemade recipes, bake treats for your dogs or share them with a nearby farm, there are plenty of ways to keep perfectly good pumpkins out of the landfill.

Before throwing away those Halloween decorations, think twice. Your leftover pumpkin could become a delicious family recipe, a special treat for your dog or a tasty snack for a farm animal.

Let’s make the most of pumpkin season, waste less and support our local farmers!

Editorial safety note: Only use pumpkins intended for food preparation when making recipes for people or pets. Carved pumpkins that have been sitting outdoors should not be used for cooking or dog treats.