5K for local teen March 11
5K for local teen March 11
‘ Miles and Love’ fundraiser for Mallory Plunket
The “Miles And Love 5K” (you know, as in “M.A.L.,” like “Mallory”) is a benefit and fundraiser for local teen Mallory Plunkett.
The walk/run will be held on Saturday, March 11.
Here is Mallory's story from her Mom, Lorrie Dale Plunkett: “Mallory is your typical 17-year-old, in that she loves hanging out with her friends, going to ball games, and spending every minute on her phone. But not so typical in that she has spent the last 8 weeks in the hospital.”
Mrs. Plunkett goes on to explain, “Her initial hospitalization was back in February of 2016. She had a bleed on her brainstem and was given the diagnosis of a cavernous malformation that could potentially rebleed. After a second bleed in December 2016, a very risky surgery was performed. We were told that what appeared to be a cavernous malformation was instead a brain tumor on her brainstem, with pathology showing malignant melanoma.”
That diagnosis led to a stay in the hospital.
“After spending two weeks at LeBonheur,” said Mom. “we were then transferred to St Jude for a full work-up and treatment plan. Scans showed that the brainstem was the primary cancer site (no cancer anywhere else).”
Per the doctors at St Jude, Mallory's case is very rare because melanoma in the brain “is usually a metastasis from a site elsewhere in the body.” The surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor.
“She has had radiation to her brainstem to hopefully kill any cancer cells that may be around the tumor site. She has significant weakness to the left side of her body, slurred speech, and nerve palsy that effects the movements and vision to both eyes,” said Mrs.
Plunkett. “We have a long road of therapy ahead of us. We will be following up at St Jude as an outpatient for repeat Scans and to possibly start a monthly infusion of an immunotherapy drug that may prove hopeful in preventing reoccurrence of the melanoma.
Registration and package pickup will be from 7 to 7:45 a.m. The M.A.L. 5K Run & Walk will start promptly at 8 a.m. Trophies will be awarded to 1st places and medals will be awarded to 2nd and 3rd places in each division. Age divisions are: Women: 12 & under, 13-19, 20-29, 3039, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & over. Men: 12 & under, 1319, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & over. The Run & Walk will begin and end at the Crittenden County Courthouse in Marion. The course will be marked and supervised by volunteers and Marion Police Department. Each participant will receive a T-shirt if registered by Feb. 28. Entry Fee is $25.
#prayforMal!
