Since running his first marathon in 2009, David Dellifield has had a goal of running the TCS New York City marathon. When he received his guaranteed entry into the 2014 NYC Marathon through the race's lottery, he launched Send Cancer on a Run 2: All the way to the Big Apple.
Dellifield (a 39 year-old, non-smoker) was diagnosed with stage 4, well-differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma (throat cancer) on February 2, 2011. David’s treatment included radiation 5 days per week and chemotherapy once per week for 3 hours for 2 months. He finished his cancer treatments on May 2, 2011, two days after he completed the Flying Pig Marathon, in Cincinnati, and the first Send Cancer on a Run, which helped raise money for Not By Choice Outreach (Kenton) was completed. Not By Choice Outreach is a free service offering head coverings, transportation, gas cards and other support services to those suffering from cancer related treatment.
The goal of Send Cancer on a Run 2 is to raise 50,266 quarters for Not By Choice Outreach. The goal is based on the community sponsoring each runner who finished the 2013 TCS New York City Marathon. The quarters raised will benefit Not By Choice Outreach and also help to cover Dellifield's costs to enter the marathon and to travel to NYC. To date, more than 23,000 quarters have been raised.
When the NYC Marathon organizers learned of Dellifield's story, they invited him to represent the United States in the NYC Marathon opening ceremony. He will be one of 1,000 participants from 85 countries marching in the parade at 5:25 p.m. Friday, October 31. The event will showcase runners from around the world in a cultural parade across the marathon finish line in Central Park. Representatives from NYC running clubs, several U.S. organizations, pro runners, and wheelchair athletes will also join the procession, which will be followed by a fireworks display.
Dellifield's family (wife, Jami, and two children, Nora,12, and Ian,10) will be volunteers at Mile 17 of the race, working an 8-hour shift.
To raise additional quarters prior to the marathon, a three-mile fun run/walk is planned from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Ada. Registration and apparel pick-up will begin at 1:30 p.m. in McIntosh Center at Ohio Northern University. Entry fee for the event is a minimum of one quarter per participant. Apparel (Nike DriFit and cotton short and long sleeved and hoodie sweatshirts) is for sale and will be available for pick up at the event. All orders should be placed by October 20 to insure delivery at the event. Orders should be placed through Sport-Tees in Kenton, 419) 675-0034, or at http://www.sport-tees.com/brands/Sending-Cancer-on-A-Run.html.
All donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Not By Choice Outreach and sent to: Dellifield c/o Ready Set Grow Preschool, 4171 State Route 235 Unit B, Ada, Ohio 45810 or by visiting http://www.gofundme.com/dtz4lg.
Dellifield is director of McIntosh Center at Ohio Northern University. More information about this event and his journey to the NYC Marathon at https://www.facebook.com/sendcanceronarun2.
The opening ceremony can be seen on 7online.com starting at 5:25 p.m. and live at 5:30 p.m. EDT in the New York City-metro area on ABC7. See more at: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/race-week/marathon-opening-ceremony-presen....
