Upstate New Yorkers Shine in Essay Contest
For the second consecutive year, the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge
is honoring inspiring individuals for outstanding personal triumph over
adversity. CIGNA’s national contest celebrates people who have overcome
life-altering disabilities or illnesses and set an example for others to
follow. The winner of the contest was Nicholas LaRaia of Oxford, N.C.
who lost his leg below the knee in a bicycle accident and has become a
mentor and example to people with prosthetics. Nick will join the CIGNA
Running Team at the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race on August 9, 2009, along
with the people who were awarded Honorable Mentions in the contest, all
of whom reside in Upstate New York.
“All of the people who submitted essays are an inspiration to everyone
-- they have overcome what most would consider insurmountable obstacles
to live life to the fullest and to contribute to their communities,”
said Dr. Dick Salmon, national medical for CIGNA, and a participant in
the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race for most of the past 15 years. “We are very
pleased to welcome the top entries to participate with the CIGNA Running
Team this year.”
Upstate New Yorkers who were recognized with Honorable Mentions include:
Angelique Papadopoulos of Cohoes, N.Y.
Even in the midst of her own battle against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,
Angelique, a registered nurse, still manages to find an outlet to care
for and help others. Angelique is a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society’s Team in Training, which raises money for blood cancer research
through race sponsorships. Learning that exercise helps during and after
chemotherapy treatments, she said that running, “the outlet that kept me
sane when life got hectic, the tool I always leaned on to keep me fit,
the sport that gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride and joy,
would still be my friend in my darkest hours.” While she once ran for
herself, she now runs to inspire struggling teammates to finish a race
and credits them with giving her the tools to live out her life and
dreams. She is hoping more people can be inspired by her example and
gather strength from her determination to conquer their cancer. “And so
dream I will, and on I’ll run to health, to happiness and hopefully to
remission.”
Tammy Delano of Rome, N.Y.
As a 35-year-old woman born with spina bifida, Tammy has had to overcome
obstacles her entire life. She relies on crutches to walk and has
endured numerous surgeries. Six years ago, she had her kidney removed
and went through a complicated year-long recovery.
