Troy 2014 Angiosarcoma Awareness 5K Road Race & Walk

Last year, I ran in the Angiosarcoma Awareness 5K Road Race and Walk in Troy. The race/walk was organized by Ryan Humphrey, a graduate of Troy Athens High School. The purpose of this race/walk is to raise awareness and money to fund Angiosarcoma research.

Check out the information below from the organization's news release announcing this year's race/walk...

Troy, Mich. – The Second Annual Troy Angiosarcoma Awareness (ASA): Steps Toward a Cure run/walk will take place 9 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Troy Athens High School. Proceeds from the race will be used to raise awareness and provide funds for research against angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The event will include a 10k, 5k, and Kids Superhero Dash. Further details, including registration and volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, can be found online at www.troyASA.org. Angiosarcoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer with a dismal prognosis of only a five-year overall survival rate of 30%. In light of being such a rare cancer, accounting for only 0.1% of adult malignancies, the disease is poorly understood.

Troy ASA Event Director Ryan Humphrey, age 32, is a Troy Athens High School graduate and angiosarcoma survivor. Humphrey has been fighting the disease for four and a half years. His battle has been no small feat. Diagnosed in 2009, Humphrey has gone through two lung surgeries, one in which his entire left lung was removed. He has also endured 37 rounds of chemotherapy; two recurrences of the diseases, including a brain metastasis; and gamma knife radiation. Through it all, Humphrey has been blessed with an amazing wife, two beautiful sons who were born during this fight, and an ever growing support group of amazing people.

“I am currently stable with the disease and am facing more harsh treatments in the near future,” states Humphrey. “However, I am here and alive, and it is all because of the support from those who are walking this journey with us. And events like these truly help lift the fighting spirit in every person.”

Last year, the First Annual Troy ASA 5k race was organized in just one month’s time and raised $25,000. More than 320 runners and walkers along with numerous volunteers were present to show their support for Humphrey, his family, and the battle against angiosarcoma. The funds raised were put to a good cause July 17, 2013, when a research grant was awarded to Dr. Vinod Ravi, M.D. at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. The Isabella Nicole Slot Angiosarcoma Awareness, Inc. Grant, in the amount of $25,000 is a direct result of the Troy ASA 5k that was held in 2013.

Angiosarcoma Awareness, Inc., is a registered 501(c)(3). All donations to the run are tax deductible. Proceeds from the event go directly to Angiosarcoma Awareness. ###

Media Contact
Laura Mastrangelo
248-885-4088
laurabmastrangelo@gmail.com

Click here for more information on this year's race/walk. Depending upon family commitments, I will attempt to run again in this year's event.