Ditmas Park Man Runs for Cancer Research at Yankee Stadium

A Ditmas Park man will celebrate his three-year anniversary of being cancer free by raising money for cancer research and awareness at the Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium this Sunday, Aug. 12. 

Gary Phillip, 31, was diagnosed with thymoma, a rare cancer of the thymus gland, in the fall of 2003. He began chemotherapy, underwent three surgeries over the following three years to remove the cancer, and in 2009, was declared cancer-free. 

A die-hard New York Yankees fan, Phillip's decision to participate in the Damon Runyon 5K was a no-brainer. "I am very familiar with the support that many of the Yankees players such as Robinson Cano provide for the community dealing with cancer," he said. "The care and generosity given from the players as well as the organization keep me a die-hard Yankee Fan."

Phillip will join 4,000 fellow cancer survivors at Yankee Stadium for the 5K, the only run/walk of its kind as it uses the ballpark as its course.

Participants will run or walk the concourses and climb stairs between levels throughout the course of the 5k. They will also appear on the video board as they take their own victory laps on the warning track that circles the field.

Participants will get the signal to take off from former Yankees Ron Blomberg and Mickey Rivers, two of this year’s Official Starters. 

Since its inception in 2009, the run has raised more than $1.4 million to support cancer research by the nation’s scientists, funded by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. This year the event is expected to raise another $600,000.