A few of the members of Team Maryellen pose in Central Park at last year’s Colon Cancer Challenge event
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TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Team Maryellen
Team Maryellen was started in support of Maryellen Griffing, who has been fighting stage IV colon cancer
since September 2008.
Maryellen, married to Dennis Griffing, has two children, Kelly, 30 and Matthew, 26.
Kelly says they are blessed to have a strong family to support her mom and each other through this time.
Her mom is extremely positive and hopeful and the entire family and all of their friends look forward
to supporting her at this year’s Colon Cancer Challenge on March 28th.
Last year the family participated
and this year they have asked friends to join them as well.
To date, 44 people have registered to walk or made a donation in support of their team— and Maryellen.
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Kelly and her Mom, Maryellen
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Maryellen, who was only 53 when she was diagnosed,
has been through a lot but she is determined to give it her all and, as Kelly says,
“fight as hard as she can to beat this terrible beast.”
After much research and many opinions,
Maryellen participated in a clinical trial at NYU last October through May.
After the clinical trial there was no active cancer present
and Maryellen was able to enjoy a wonderful four-month break from chemotherapy
including family vacations to Fire Island and Cape May.
Maryellen was also able to celebrate her 55th birthday with family and friends off chemo!
She has since restarted a regular regimen of chemotherapy
but Kelly says she is staying positive and that
“the last scan showed nothing shrinking but no new growth either which the doctor said
is good as her disease has not progressed.”
Maryellen’s family, especially her husband and children, and her many friends
feel she is the most amazing woman they’ve ever known and couldn’t be more proud of her!
They plan on participating in the Colon Cancer Challenge for the rest of their lives
and hope to have their wife, mother and friend with them for many more years to come.
They are looking forward to the 28th and seeing everyone bright and early!
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Maryellen Griffing pauses in Central Park during the 2009 Colon Cancer Challenge
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Previous Team Spotlights:
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