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.

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, Shore – LIJ Dermatology, Ridgewood Savings Bank, Snapple, and UVSkinz.

Last and certainly not least, 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, Thank You Wendy and Theresa!