Liz Kelly Run Raises More Than $9K for Children's Cancer Research

Nine months after Patchogue’s Elizabeth Kelly from cancer at the age of 19, her mother Patti Kelly held a 5K in her honor to benefit children’s cancer research.

“I learned during Lizzie’s illness that there is not enough money in the world for children’s cancer research because children really do not have a voice in the government,” Patti Kelly said.

The Village of Patchogue's Parks and Recreation department helped Patti organize the race held on Sunday at . The event brought 230 participants and raised approximately $9,300 for Stony Brook University Medical Center’s Sunrise Fund. The fund supports the care and raising awareness of childhood cancer according to its website.

“I just knew that I had to do something to help, and I promised her before she died that I would do everything I could,” Patti Kelly said in front of race participants.

Elizabeth had been on the Stony Brook Seawolves swim team, members of whom attended the 5K and ran through it together in memory of their teammate.

“I remember her being so positive, so polite, very outgoing,” said Julie Policht, a junior at Stony Brook. “We mention her a lot, like last year we did a Relay for Life and a couple girls made the white base for her...the team did it for her.”

Donations are still being accepted for the Sunrise Fund in memory of Elizabeth Kelly. Donations should be mailed to Village of Patchogue Recreation & Parks Dept., 15A Jennings Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772, c/o of Maria Giustizia. Checks should be made payable to The Sunrise Fund and in the memo area write “Lizzy Kelly.”

For photo and video highlights from the race, check our .