Tarrytown native Laura Murray – a 28-year-old cancer survivor and Yankees fan – will run a 5K on Sunday with 4,000 other cancer survivors and supporters in one of the most popular charity runs in New York, the Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium.
Laura was unfortunately diagnosed with leukemia in 1988 at the age of 4. Although she was stricken with cancer at such a young age, Laura credits her doctors and parents for making her life as normal and positive as possible in between the surgeries, treatments and mood swings she had. Laura beat leukemia as a child, and in high school went on to become involved in walks for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is lucky to have so much support around her any many positive memories through all of the negative experiences, and wants to continue to help people suffering from cancer the same way she was helped.
To celebrate her love of the Yankees and being cancer-free, on August 12, Laura and her family will participate in the Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium – the only 5k that uses the historic stadium as a 5K course. Runners even get to run victory laps around the field and on the warning track. The Murray’s are among 4,000 cancer survivors and supporters that will raise more than $600,000 for cancer research while living out the dream of taking the field at Yankee Stadium.
Here's how Laura explains what this run will mean to her:
The Yankees are our home team. You can’t move more than a foot in our house without seeing some Yankee memorabilia. When I first received an e-mail about the chance to run at the stadium, I could not pass up the opportunity. To support a cause like the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation makes it even more special. To be able to have positive memories from such a difficult time in life, gives me the chance to give the joy to my parents they have always given to me.
The above was submitted by Doug Drotman of the Drotman PR firm. For more information on the Runyon, visit their website: damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium/
