This Week Declared 'Stamp Out Leukemia Week' in Plum

The Stampede in the Park race to benefit leukemia research is coming up this weekend, and this entire week has been declared "Stamp Out Leukemia Week" in Plum Borough.

Plum Running Mustangs Alumni Association is hosting the sixth-annual Stampede in the Park race on Saturday, July 21. The 5K race and one-mile fun run benefits leukemia research at the Hillman Cancer Center of UPMC. The course winds along Pierson Run Road through Boyce Park and starts and finishes at Boyce Park Ski Lodge.

The charitable race first was organized in 2007 by Plum’s varsity track and cross-country head coach, Joe Ionta—or Coach I—who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in spring 2006 and received treatment from the Hillman Center.

Ionta said the race has raised $85,000 in the last five years.

Plum Mayor Rich Hrivnak declared this week "Stamp Out Leukemia Week" in the borough in honor of the event and the cause.

According to the mayor's proclimation, about 20,000 Americans died from leukemia in 2011, and 45,000 new cases were diagnosed.

"I want to thank everybody who participates in this worthwhile project," Hrivnak said.

Ionta said more fundraisers will be occurring throughout the week. There will be collection areas throughout the borough, a car wash was held, and a portion of proceeds at Wendy's from 5 to 8 p.m. this week will go toward the cause.

"It's really, really neat to be a part of a community like Plum," he said. "I don't live in Plum, but I consider it my home. Like Dorothy said, 'There's no place like home.'"

Race Information:   

Registration is a minimum $25 donation and is open through race day. Those interested can register online at www.active.com, keyword: Stampede in the Park.

Race day registration is from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. at the Boyce Park Ski Lodge, and the race will begin at 8:30. Packets can be picked up at the ski lodge from 6 to 8 p.m. July 20 or 7 to 8:15 a.m. race day.

Trophies will be given to the top three men and top three women in the 5K race. Additionally, the top three finishers in each age group receive awards as well. The top 25 finishers in the one-mile fun run will receive medals.

For more information contact Kevin Dowdell at 412-795-6902 or by email at kevin.dowdell@us.abb.com.

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