Each year, thousands of supporters descend on Yankee Stadium to participate in the Damon Runyon 5K, a unique cancer research fundraising run/walk that uses the home of the New York Yankees as its course.  Below, you will find the inspiring personal stories of several Runyon 5K participants who generously shared why they are running or walking this year.  Have a story of your own?  Email it to us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Lisa Dalton - Watertown, CT

“This is the first 5K run/walk I have ever signed up for!  I am a 4-year, 3-month breast cancer survivor.  I am walking in honor of my hero, my mother, who is so close to reaching her 5-year breast cancer survivor mark!

In addition to being a survivor, I am an avid New York Yankees fan.  I think it is so cool that my first 5K to benefit cancer research will be at Yankee Stadium!

This year, I participated in the first New York Yankees Fantasy Camp for Women in Tampa, FL.  I was on a team called, ‘The Bombers.’  When Val, one of my teammates, suggested that we all sign up to do this 5K at Yankee Stadium, I jumped at the chance. I am hoping that most, if not all, of ‘The Bombers’ will sign up to participate.”

> Support The Bombers

Bill Fennelly - Piscataway, NJ

“I will begin by telling you that my late wife, Gwen, hated baseball.  She could not understand the game and never really tried to do so. When we were dating and early in our marriage she would go to Yankees games with me at the old Stadium[s]...but never to the new Stadium.  It finally came to her saying, ‘Go by yourself.’ 

But she watched games with me on TV and I would test her by asking who a player was when they appeared on the screen.  She always knew Jeter, Pettitte (what a hunk!), A-Rod, and Posada but struggled with…the others.

She knew of my love of the Yankees and tolerated it I suppose.  She battled breast cancer for four long years before passing away last November.  As she looks down from heaven on August 7th at me as I run in her memory, at the Stadium, I am sure she will delight that she finally made it to the new Stadium, by my side, in a place where the Yankees, both known and unknown, play.”

> Support Run for Gwen

Melissa Napolitano - Philadelphia, PA

“My father, Joseph, died 3 years ago from liver cancer.  By the time the liver tumor was discovered, it was too late for treatment.  He passed away peacefully a few days later.

The most vivid memories I have of my father are going to Yankees games and Broadway shows.  The theater and the Yankees are ways in which my father lives on in my memory.

I decided to celebrate him and his life in a special way.  Each year, I celebrate him by joining with friends and family to raise money for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.  This will be our 3rd year in a row!

I can think of no better way to celebrate my Dad than to raise money for a cancer research foundation that is connected to one his favorite plays, Guys and Dolls, AND to do that at Yankee Stadium.  Even though my Dad won’t be in the stands cheering us on, I know we’ll feel his strength and joy the whole day.”

> Support Joe’s Team

Jeff Saper - Ossining, NY

“On January 5, 2010, my son Riley was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  On June 11, 2010, my son died.  This is why I run.  Cancer destroyed my son.  I want to help in any way I can so that cancer will no longer destroy sons and daughters, husbands and wives.

Prior to Riley, I only knew of cancer from afar.  Now I have witnessed my son’s suffering; his chemotherapy treatments and his pain. I held him through his final breath.  I have to visit his grave each day wishing that there were a cure.  No child should endure what Riley had to endure. No parent should watch their child fade away. 

I hope others will support this wonderful cause.”

> Support Team Riley

Ashley Tonno - Levittown, NY

“I’m running for my dad Nicholas Tonno, who has been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 7 years. The New York Yankees are a huge part of our lives and a common bond that my father and I share. We have great memories watching the games together and witnessed history on July 9th when Jeter hit his 3,000 hit at Yankee Stadium.

He has taught me so much about the game and educated me about past games and amazing players he grew up watching. The Yankees are a great way to keep our minds off of his fight against cancer.  His oncologist is a huge Boston fan, so it makes his chemotherapy treatments very comical for us.

This will be my first year running the Runyon 5K, and it will be an annual tradition for me from now on. This day is going to be so special not only because I am die hard Yankee fan, but also because my dad will be there to cheer me on while I run for a cure! Also, Tina Bodkin, my best friend and Team In Training mentor, is a Hodgkin’s survivor so I will be running in honor of her and with her on this great day!”

> Support Team Hope

Sandi Weinthal - New York, NY

“I’m running in honor of my father, Dr. Michael David Weinthal, who I lost this past November to pancreatic cancer.

My dad was an incredible father, a caring and gentle podiatrist, and the biggest Yankees fan I’ve ever met!  Father/daughter bonding over the Yankees was one of the special things we shared.  We’d watch games over the phone “together” when I moved away from home and we’d call each other after every home run was scored.  We were fortunate to go to many games at Yankee Stadium together over the years.

I wish my father could join me and my family at the Runyon 5K, I just know he would love to take that victory lap around the warning track!  But, I know that we will be honoring his memory while raising money for cancer research and he will be looking down on us, cheering us on!

I miss my dad every day, but participating in events like this helps to give his death meaning for me.  I hope that I live to see a cure for cancer and that no more daughters have to lose their fathers.”

> Support Feet 2 Beat