About
Why there is a Meaghan’s Race…
We are honoring Meaghan Latone, a young Rochester mom who lost her battle with non-smokers lung cancer.
At Meaghan’s request, all money raised through this event will go to the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center and the Lipson Cancer Center, directed toward lung cancer research.
Race Director Gail Zicari Wagner read Meaghan’s essay in the November ’07 Democrat and Chronicle and decided to help Meaghan draw attention to this disease through this race/walk.
Meaghan invites you to participate in this event and to remember her favorite quotes:
Miracles are happening
Fight the good fight, every moment, every minute, every day
The purpose of this site is to honor those who are battling, surviving or have lost their fight against lung cancer. In August 2008, Meaghan Latone passed away after a courageous, determined fight. She was 37 and loved by her two wonderful children, a devoted husband, family and many, many friends.
In November 2007, she wrote an essay, published in the Democrat & Chronicle that raised awareness about lung cancer, such as its lack of research funding. Lung cancer also continues to be the single biggest cancer killer, often diagnosed at a very late stage with a five-year survival rate of 15%. Meaghan wanted us to know that “lung cancer is not just for smokers anymore,” as she had non-smoker’s lung cancer. She hoped for a rainbow ribbon that would encompass all cancers, and promote equality in research that would lead to higher survival rates for lung cancer. Meaghan fought the fight and inspires us to fight for her cause. Together we can make a difference.
We had our first Meaghan’s 5K race and walk on April 12, 2008 and drew 800 participants-families, athletes, survivors-and raised almost $60,000 that went directly to Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Center for lung cancer research. In 2009 almost 900 braved a blizzard like day to raise over $60,000 again. This year on April 30th we hope for a sunny day to entice many more to join us for a great, flat and fast 5k course.
Thank you to our sponsors who so generously make this event possible.
Gail Zicari Wagner
Race Director
