Bluffton University graduate David Dellifield of Ada (a 39 year-old, non-smoker) was diagnosed with Stage 4, well-differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma (throat cancer) on Feb. 2, after going to the doctor for a swollen lymph node and earache.

Dellifield had already begun training for the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. He had already put 125 miles in since 1-1-11. This race will be his 5th FULL Marathon (26.2 miles) since the Flying Pig in May 2009.

He began radiation and chemotherapy treatments on March 8. He currently receives radiation 5 days per week and chemotherapy once per week for 3 hours. He will finish his treatments on May 2, two days after the Flying Pig Marathon. David plans to finish the race even though his cancer treatments will not yet be completed.

Dellifield and his family are inviting you to join them at a local 2.5 mile event "Sending Cancer on A Run" at Ohio Northern University on April 10. Dellifield is the husband of Jami, father of Nora and Ian, son of Dennis and Marilee (Hefner) Dellifield, and son-in-law of Gary and Penny (McDougle) Cavinee.

The event will take place on the "Green Monster" on April 10, 2011, for runners, walker, and joggers. Registration (for T-shirt pick-up and participant sign-in) will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the shelter house behind Sigma Pi. All participants will begin walking at 2 p.m.

This event is a family event, and all ages are invited to attend. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome! Please bring your own water bottle. We are inviting the community to join us at this event and to walk for cancer patients. WONB (94.9 FM) will provide music throughout the event. Theta Chi fraternity will also be participating as part of their annual 24-hour run.

Event T-shirts will also be on sale and pre-orders are recommended, as only a limited number of shirts and sizes will be available the day of the event.

To order a T-shirt, please send an email with your name, phone number, style & size to: [email protected] by March 30 for pick-up on April 10. Please add $8 for shipping and include your address if you would prefer for your t-shirt to be shipped.

Costs for the "gear" are as follows: Nike Dri Fit SS $25/ Long Sleeve $30; COTTON SS Adult $10/Kid $5; Cotton LS Adult $20/Kid $10; Sweatshirts Adult $30/Kids $20. Please add an extra $3 for adult sizes 2XL and larger.

Free Will donations will be accepted the day of the race. All proceeds will be split 50/50 to Not By Choice Outreach (a Hardin County based cancer non-profit, http://nbcoutreach.org/) and David's medical bills and gas costs for treatment. Donations and Tshirt orders can also be sent to: Jami Dellifield, c/o Lima Trinity UMC, 301 West Market Street, Lima, OH 45801.

You can also find out more information about this event and David's journey to the Flying Pig marathon on the Facebook event: "Sending Cancer on A Run."