Medical Marvels: Cancer patient inspires therapist to run in TCS NYC Marathon

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Joe Russo is a physical therapist at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

He works with cancer patients who are struggling to get back on their feet. But it was actually one of Joe's patients that inspired him to run in the New York City Marathon for the first time.

Joe is running on behalf of STOMP The Monster, which provides financial and other support to cancer patients, their families, and caregivers when they need it most - during their fight with the disease.

The organization promotes a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise, leading by example, and provide funding for potential advances in prevention and treatment.

New York Presbyterian is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive hospitals, with some 2,600 beds. In 2013, there were more than 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits to the hospital, including close to 15,000 deliveries and more than 310,000 emergency department visits. More than 6,500 affiliated physicians and 20,000 employees provide state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory, and preventive care in all areas of medicine at six campuses.

To learn more, please visit:

For more information on Stomp the Monster:

http://www.stompthemonster.org