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Teen Skates 11 Miles for Lung Cancer Research
2 Aug
Summary
- A 15-year-old boy skated 11 miles to raise funds.
- The event honored his grandmother who died of lung cancer.
- Over $7,000 was raised for cancer research at a New York hospital.
Ryan Amendola, now 15, honored his late grandmother with an extensive skate-a-thon on August 1st. He completed 111 laps, totaling approximately 11 miles, at the Montclair State Ice Arena. This fourth annual "Blades Against Cancer" event raised over $7,000 for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the institution where his grandmother received treatment for lung cancer before her death in 2021.
Amendola, who began skating after his grandmother's passing, aimed to make her proud and prevent other children from enduring the grief he experienced. The event, which started in 2022 with 50 laps, has grown annually in both distance and funds raised, surpassing $10,000 cumulatively before this year's $7,650 contribution. Awareness for lung cancer, affecting non-smokers too, was also a key goal.
Amendola expressed his gratitude for the support and the hospital's care. His parents, proud of his efforts, noted how he transformed grief into a force for good, continuing his grandmother's legacy. Amendola plans to sustain "Blades Against Cancer" well into his future, even considering its continuation through college.
