5th year in event for Cold Spring group
For the fifth year in a row, Cold Spring’s own team, Proud Mary, participated in the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation 5K at Yankee Stadium.
Proud Mary was formed in memory of Mary Manzoeillo and what started out as a team of four has grown to 15. The team members ran throughout the stadium on Sunday, Aug. 3, in memory, support and honor of all survivors, those who are fighting, or those who have lost the fight against cancer.
The team members also participated as a show of support for the caregivers who are there every step of the way for their loved ones battling a disease for which they hope young scientists like those at the Damon foundation will someday find a cure.
Mary Manzoeillo’s daughter Krista says: “Seeing my mother battle cancer was the single most difficult part of my life. Life changes the second you hear the diagnosis. It is the hope of our entire team that by participating in events such as this and raising money to fund research, we can make a difference and ensure that someday no one will ever hear the words ‘You have cancer.’”
This year’s team raised over $1,300. All proceeds go to the foundation and are used to fund research to find a cancer cure.
Proud Mary team members are: Crystal Baez, Jason Chin Chitty, Katie DeMarco, Felicia Gagnon, Jennifer Giachinta, Kim Giachinta, Krissy Irwin, Alex Leonard, Melissa Leonard, Krista Manzoeillo, Annette Pidala, Melissa Scanga, Olivia Scanga, Sophia Scanga and Kristin Van Tassel.
Donations to the event are still being accepted at runyon5k.kintera.org.
