Lifeguards Promote Farmingdale Cancer Fundraiser Saturday

Saturday night at Palmer's American Grille in Farmingdale will have a feeling of a day at the beach. 

We could use it, given the weather, and it's all to raise money for the American Cancer Society. 

Joe Mulligan, who with fellow Town of Oyster Bay lifeguards Brendan Mims, Frank LaMagna, Chris Hamilton and Tom Durnin, are organizing the fundraiser and will be running in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon to raise money.

"We've known each other for 25 years," Mulligan said. "We wanted to run the half marathon and we were looking for an organization to raise money."

The group settled on the American Cancer Society because of how they've been touched by the disease.

"Different family and friends have been affected by the disease," said Mulligan whose mother Linda is a cancer survivor.

They're also honoring several lifeguards, including Rudy Fiorvanti, who lost his life to the disease, according to Mulligan.

"Rudy was a longtime lifeguard at TOBAY," he said. "He was a great role model and mentor to all of us."

They're also dedicating the race to cancer survivors Erica Lambert and Cynthia Florio, both former lifeguards at the beach.

Local cancer survivors Travis Chula, Brian Gallagher, Julia Wilson and Robert Trotta, are also inspiring the run as are Lynn Longley, Patricia Wallace and Theresa Platania who lost their lives to the disease.

In addition to the half marathon whch goes from Central Park to the South Street Seaport on Mar. 17, the group plans a big bash for Saturday's event at Palmer's, which runs from 1 p.m.. to 4 p.m.

"We're hoping to have about 200 to 300 people, we'll have a 5/50 raffle, prizes and a live band," Mulligan said.

It costs $10 at the door and will feature a buffet, $4 domestic pints and $5 for imports. 

The group hopes to raise about $6,500 to $10,000 for the American Cancer society.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Brendan Mims at kaitai@aol.com or 516-650-9515.