Softball Tournament to Raise Money as Yorktown Alumna Battles Cancer

The diagnosis of a stage IV kidney cancer at age 30 came as a big surprise to Meagan Blackmore, a 2000 Yorktown High School graduate who is now fighting for her life.

"She was shocked and devastated, but positive and resilient," Blackmore's good friend Teresa Ricciardi told Patch. "There are certain parts of a character that don't change, regardless of life's changes."

Blackmore was diagnosed on May 3, 2013 following a routine visit to the doctor. She is currently being treated at Sloan Kettering in New York City.

"Meagan is an amazing beam of light to the world," Ricciardi said. "She is hilarious, giving, witty, and the kind of friend you only need to meet once, but who will be a friend for life."

Her friends and family now want to give back to her too. To help pay for Blackmore's medical expenses and living costs while she is fighting the cancer, a group of friends have set up a fundraising website MegStrong and organized a number of events, including a softball tournament fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Yorktown High School.

The softball fundraiser in Yorktown is being held in part because Blackmore is an avid sports fan who played softball in high school. She was the team's pitcher. After graduating high school, she went on to study communications, marketing, and Italian at the University of Albany.

"Meagan has the innate ability to make every situation awesome," Ricciardi said. "She is very present in every situation. Regardless of what else is going on in her tomorrow, she is very appreciative of her today."

Her friends and family have been able to raise $20,000 and they are still counting. Since Blackmore is currently paying for medical bills for being in and out of the hospital, paying for her own insurance and not being able to work, every donation makes a difference. 

"It's humbling when you realize how many good people are out there that want to help," said Lisa Friedman, another friend of Blackmore's "They may not know Meagan personally, but they're compelled by her story and want to support her in her fight."

The fundraising event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Yorktown High School. There will be food, a DJ, balloon artist, face painting, a clown, bake sale, silent auction and more. There are going to be a couple of softball games, followed by a home run derby.

The suggested donation is $5 to get in and people can buy tickets for everything offered there.

At the end the day, the fundraiser will move to Murphy's Restaurant (355 Kear Street) at 4 p.m. where customers can enjoy a food buffet, beer and wine for $25. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Meagan.

"It's going to be a fun day for everyone," Friedman said. "We're asking the community, whether you know Meagan or not, to come out and support her in her fight."

One of the obstacles in planning the fundraiser was keeping the costs down, so all proceeds could be donated to Blackmore. The Yorktown Central School District required there is a security personnel present since they were opening up their school, Friendman said. 

"Understandable, but costly," Friedman said. "So the Superintendent [Ralph Napolitano] and Athletic Director [Fio Nardone], both volunteered their time to serve as part of the security team. They didn't have to do this, but they wanted to."

The name behind MegStrong's fundraising website was chosen for a reason, according to her friends.

"Meagan is sick, but strong," Ricciardi said. "She is funny and lighthearted. Her life is consumed with doctors and people asking about her cancer, but she is present in every day."

For more information and to make a donation, visit MegStrong's website by clicking here.
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The following people have made significant contributions to ensure the success of the fundraiser:

• Robin Celli of 'Delaware Head Huggers' has worked tirelessly and received hand-made items from all across the country, specifically made for the fundraiser. People who have no ties to Yorktown or to Meagan at all, hand-knit items for organizers to sell.
  
  
• Tom Cuomo, owner of Don Tommaso's in Yorktown, along with Rob Del Balzo, owner of Nuttin to It! in Yorktown, are both catering food and grilling at the event.

• Karen Miller Grossman, of Three Dogs Gluten-Free Bakery in Briarciff Manor, is catering baked goods

• Ziggo of ZiggoMagic.com in Yorktown Heights, will be doing a show at 1:30 p.m.

• The Yorktown Athletic Club is insuring the event

• Magical Memories Entertainment is donating a balloon artist and Dunk Tank

• Kara McCloat is donating her time for face painting

• Foley Graphics is donating a banner

• Engraving Westchester is donating MegStrong bracelets

• Modells is donating shirts for the players to wear

• Frozen Ropes in Elmsford is lending bats and balls to use