2015 5K Run & Walk

CCMAC’s

11th Annual Miles For Melanoma “Accurate” 5K Run/Walk

A Huge Success

A great day in which individuals and families from all over came together to celebrate loved ones and feel the strength of those who have been, or are in treatment.

The success of the annual 5K Run/Walk walk depends upon two groups of people; those who come to run, walk and cheer, and those involved in the planning, coordination and implementation of the event. CCMAC is grateful and appreciative of all those; the board and volunteers who work so hard planning and implementing this very important event.

The day of the walk starts with committed volunteers who arrive at the park shortly before the sun rises in order to unload the truck, set up the tents, tables, and chairs; hang the banners, post the signage, fill the balloons, and line the Run/Walk path with the hundreds of the “In Honor of, and In Memory” signs. Some of the early morning risers included Jerry Pelan 1st. on the scene at 5am to unload the truck, his early arrival and help gave us a big head start and getting everything set up on time. Next to arrive was Joe Buckshaw, his son Joe, a friend Jason and one other friend who was bribed to come so early on. Without these guys the tents would have never been set up on time. Later Joe Sr. also did a bang up job with the helium balloons. Soon to follow was Mrs. Debbie Amato, whose beautiful daughter Debbie Amato Formato died this past October from Melanoma. The Mrs. Amato, Debbie her daughter and friends were regular attendees of past walks. Mrs. Amato could not do enough to help us set up and ensure the event want smoothly. Special thanks to Mrs. Debbie Amato, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Once at the park the first thing our attendees do is register. Registration this year was handled by; Fred and Kathy Kortman, Marisue, Rocco and Jill Ianarelli, Kathy & Mary Antonacci and John Traina, ZoeAnn Hamilton and Lisa Dzurilla, and Angela Pitto.

Following registration folks head over to receive their “GOODY BAGS”, at the “GOODY BAG TABLE” staffed by the Clark high school cheerleaders.

While waiting for the run and walk to begin over 150 attendees took advantage of the FREE Skin Cancer Screenings being offered at the walk. We are grateful to Dr. Jeff Ellis of Belaray Dermatology and Dr. Amit Garg, Chair of Dermatology of the North Shore -LIJ Dermatology Department who made this possible. The NS-LIJ dermatology department also had a team participating in the run. Barbara and Donald Gleason managed all registrations for the screening event. Dr, Jeff Ellis is pictured below left, and Dr. Amit Garg below right with baseball cap.

Many participants visited the Prize Wheel and Kids tables which were a big hit with all of the Kids, young and old. The prize wheel and table were managed by Helen Sanudo and Grace and Kate Buckshaw, while the Kids table was managed by Wendy & Rich Ruocco, Tina and Lauren Ruocco, and Mark.

The Kids table provided children of all ages an opportunity make bracelets using UV Sensitive Beads and paint finger nails with UV Sensitive Polish. The UV sensitive beads and polish when exposed to the UV rays of the sun turn colors from white to purple. The stronger the rays, the darker purple they turn. The kids are having fun and learning at the same time. They also could get their faces painted which as you can tell from the slide show below many took advantage of.

Prior to the Run/Walk beginning we were proud to have the Nassau County Explorers Honor Guard and Officer Sharon Galvin of the Nassau County Police Department present the Flag and lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

In addition to those running, walking and cheering CCMAC is especially grateful for the continued support of the events sponsors and promoters; Belaray Dermatology, Blue Lizard, Cablevision News Channel 12 Long Island, Emblem Health, Fresh 102.7, Hats.com, Hillside Beverage, Jay Letterman and My Country 96.1 WJVC, Jay Oliver & Long Island News Radio 103.9 FM, King Kullen, McCLain Laboratories, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and the Nassau County Legislature, North Shore – LIJ Dermatology, Ridgewood Savings Bank, Snapple, and UVSkinz.

Thanks to Holly Koehler and Laura Hamilton for selling chances, to Marissa and ALexa of the Clarke Cheerleaders for staffing the Volunteer Sign in Table, to Katie Vollino & Bella for staffing the Greeters, and to Carole Frost Kelly (Melanoma Survivor) for staffing the Merchandise Table, and for all the work she continues to do over the years to prevent Melanoma Skin Cancer. Carole has been a great support to many diagnosed with this terrible disease. Special thanks to our our photographers; Wendy Ruocco and Theresa McCloskey of Team McCloskey, who every year do a great job capturing special moments and documenting the event in pictures, and our Videographer Rosalia Gaudino, of Team Gaudino for capturing special moments on video. Thank You Wendy, Theresa and Rosalia!