PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, July 15 the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation will be hosting their ninth annual Yankee Stadium 5k.
Last year Team Rhino had 38 team members and over 15 spectators, making us one of the largest teams to be involved in the event and we expect this year to be no different. Seven Parsippany teachers from various schools have joined at Yankee Stadium 5k as members of Team Rhino.
Tracy Carroll, Captain of Team Rhino, lost here dad…her hero, the greatest man she had known…to esophageal cancer after a gallantly-fought, nearly two-year battle in July2008, That first year without him was an unbelievably painful one for my family, and as the first Father’s Day approached, she knew she had to find a way to channel the overwhelming sadness and anger she was feeling. A way to try to relieve that feeling of helplessness, to make a difference, to do something to help people who were still fighting the battle. She grabbed her computer and started randomly searching for cancer fundraising events in my area. She came across a few, but as she looked further into where the money that was raised went, she was disappointed to find that most of it went to “administrative costs.” While certainly wonderful organizations she is sure, this wasn’t the type of difference she needed to make. Finally, she stumbled upon the Damon Runyon 5K website. She loved the fact that 100% of the money raised went directly to cancer research, and while definitely not an expert in the field, she was amazed at what seemed like ground-breaking work that their scientists were doing. To top it off, my dad was a big Yankees fan so the unique venue made it seem like the perfect fit!
One of the remarkable and unique things about this event is that 100% of the money raised goes directly to the research being conducted by scientists everyday to help find treatments and cures for this terrible disease that impacts so many. Through this event, they have raised nearly $4.5 million dollars for cancer research.
This year the Eastlake Staff will also be making a donation to the event as well. On Monday, June 12 teachers who contribute to the staff donation will be allowed to wear jeans as has been done in the past for various philanthropic causes.
For more information on Team Rhino, click here.
