Suffolk Reporter

When Ed Murphy lined up for the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk in Brooklyn, New York, on September 29, he was not alone. Accompanying him were his doctors from Stony Brook Cancer Center: surgical oncologist Georgios V. Georgakis, MD, PhD, and medical oncologist Julie Anne L. Gemmill, DO. Murphy credits them with keeping him alive after his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Murphy's participation in the race marked a significant milestone following over a year of chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery. The presence of his doctors running alongside him added special meaning to the event.

Despite being an experienced marathon runner, Murphy did not anticipate joining this race after his early-stage pancreatic cancer diagnosis in Fall 2022. As a retired registered nurse from Stony Brook University Hospital's psychiatric unit, he chose the Cancer Center team for treatment. His initial chemotherapy aimed to prevent tumor growth.

“Given the tumor’s significant size and proximity to major vessels, he underwent a rigorous six-month chemotherapy course,” said Gemmill. “The first three months aimed to shrink the tumor for surgery, while the latter three eradicated any residual microscopic cancer cells. It was a difficult road filled with ups and downs, but his courageous spirit and resilience never wavered.”

In March 2023, Murphy underwent Whipple surgery under Georgakis and Gemmill's care to remove the tumor.

Throughout treatment and recovery challenges, Murphy maintained his training routine even while hospitalized. “I think I broke the record for most laps walking on the unit,” he remarked.

At a follow-up appointment when Murphy mentioned his plan to run the Tunnel to Towers 5K, Georgakis responded by saying to Gemmill: “We’re running this with him.”

“At first I thought they might be joking," said Murphy. "But when they made it clear they meant it, I was impressed.” He described their participation as "a very nice gesture" that made the patriotic event even more enjoyable.

For further details on this story visit Stony Brook Cancer Center's website.