PARSIPPANY — Several Parsippany teachers participated in the Damon Runyon 5k for Cancer Research at Yankee Stadium. The event held on Sunday, April 15, was the ninth year that Team Rhino, organized by Eastlake teacher, Tracy Carroll, has participated in the event. This year, Team Rhino was the largest team participating in the run with 65 members. Throughout their years of participation, the team has raised over $23,000 for the foundation.
The event raises money for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation to fund the research being performed by scientists in how to best prevent, diagnose, and treat all forms of cancer. Carroll became involved in the event in 2010 shortly after losing her dad to esophageal cancer. “As the first Father’s Day approached after losing my dad, I knew I needed to find a way to channel my sadness and anger into something positive, something that would make a difference. As I read more about the Runyon 5k, I was thrilled to see that 100% of the money raised went directly to the research being done rather than to overhead or administrative costs. That seems to be very rare in an event of this type,” Carroll explains.
Vicki Mastrangelo, a teacher at Eastlake School, said, “I have participated in the Damon Runyon Yankee Stadium 5k since 2010, and it is an event I truly look forward to every year! After losing my mother to cancer this past year, I’m even more grateful to be part of such an amazing team that helps turn an unfortunate experience into such a special day!”
Along with other friends and family members, Carroll and Mastrangelo were joined by Eastlake colleagues Kelli Costa, Heather Craner, Lucia Innocent, Michele Mizerek, Mary Ellen Iradi, Maureen Odenwelder, Toni Farneski, and Kathleen Attenasio, as well as Littleton School’s Melanie Ellis and Lake Parsippany’s Meghan Proto.
So far this year’s event has raised a total of $318,175 for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Donations are still being accepted until Tuesday, May 15, by clicking here.
