Zangas race raises $75,000 for lung cancer research

The Island Now

With a punishing wind and a cold drizzle falling, a hearty group of runners and walker participated in the 11th annual Tom Zangas Memorial Lung Cancer Foundation/Archangel Michael 5K Run/1K Walk on Saturday, Nov. 3 at North Hempstead Beach Park. The race had been postponed from Oct. 27 due to inclement weather.

A highlight of the event was a proclamation from North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth given to Leonard and Penelope Zangas of Manhasset, and the foundation for their dedication and successful efforts to raise funds for lung cancer research. The proclamation noted the impact the foundation is having on lung cancer research.

The race raised $75,000, bringing the total amount the foundation has raised to more than $450,000. The foundation works with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) to fund important research.

The winner was Douglas Caputo of Fresh Meadows in a time of 19:30. The first woman finisher and third overall was Mary Small of Port Washington in a time of 23:55.

Leonard Zangas, the father of Tom Zangas who started the foundation with Penelope, told the crowd prior to the race how touched the couple is by the generosity of contributors, and the perseverance of those participating on Saturday. He noted a $35,000 grant was given to Dr. Abraham Chachoua at Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health, who valiantly tried to extend Tom’s life. The funds are directed to a lung cancer fellowship program teaching new oncologists how to combine clinical skills, bedside manner and cutting-edge research to help lung cancer patients. Previous fellowship grants ended.

Grants to the LCRF have funded a variety of research projects, including: prevention and screening for early detection; identification of new biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies; and the development of next-generation chemotherapeutic agents. Many of these projects have led to new avenues of research and important discoveries and helped usher in the era of personalized medicine in lung cancer treatment and the development of the next generation of therapies.

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