Crotty's Cancer Cause to Host 3rd Annual 5k Walk-Run in Wantagh

In the decade since Jeanne Crotty of Massapequa died of Melanoma, her family has been doing their part to raise awareness about the disease.

This Sunday, Crotty's Cancer Cause will host its third annual Jeanne Crotty 5K Walk-Run at  with all proceeds benefiting Sloan Kettering and New York University Hospital for Melanoma research.

"The event, just like our organization, is in honor of my mom, Jeanne, who was a very important person in my family's life," said Samantha Crotty. "She was a very positive person who impacted all of the people with whom she interacted."

Crotty worked as a reading teacher at Birch Lane Elementary School in Massapequa in addition to teaching at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue. She passed away in December 2002. 

According to Samantha, Crotty's Cancer Cause was started to keep her mother's memory alive and help spread awareness on the disease that took her mother's life.

"With tanning beds and the depletion of the ozone layer, Melanoma is rapidly becoming more prevalent," she said. "Unfortunately, it is effecting people at a younger age and it's a very aggressive form of cancer. It's important that people realize this can be prevented."

Registration for the walk begins at 9:15 a.m. and the donation is $25. For more information, email crottyd2@gmail.com.