"It is hard to believe we have been helping cancer patients for (10 years)," stated Vernon Murphy, founder and executive director of the Chester County-based nonprofit organization OneRunTogether (ORT). "I remember wondering how in the world I was going to run a nonprofit when I did not have a clue how to run a business. God certainly has sustained us with amazing volunteers, sponsors and donors."

ORT, which was founded on Aug. 26, 2011, helps cancer patients in Berks and Chester counties by providing funds that pay their bills like rent, mortgage, utilities, car payments, taxes and child care. Since its formation, ORT has given out more than 450 grants.

Murphy, a Coatesville resident, founded the ministry after losing his wife, Beth, to breast cancer in 2009. The name of the organization refers to the 5K runs that are held by ORT throughout the year, along with other fundraisers. The charity's motto is "OneRunTogether - so no one fights cancer alone."

Because of the pandemic, Murphy said that there will be no 10th anniversary celebration banquet. The annual banquet was canceled in 2020 as well. "Once we knew we would not have the dinner (in 2020), we had a fundraising event and sent out letters and emails to people and asked for donations," said Murphy, noting that the last in-person banquet in 2019 raised more than $36,000 for the organization. "It was amazing that we ended up bringing in the same amount (in 2020) as the year before (when there was a banquet)."

ORT has already set next year's fundraising banquet at Downingtown Country Club for Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.

Building on the success of its recent Ready, Set GLOW! 5K held on July 24 at the Honeybrook Golf Club, which raised more than $2,000, the next scheduled ORT event will be a Superheroes 5K on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Weaver's Orchard in Morgantown. It will be held in place of the annual Hard to the Core 5K Mud Run typically held at Weaver's. All participants will be asked to wear costumes. More details about the event will be forthcoming at the ORT website.

Those who wish to apply to receive funds while undergoing cancer treatment may complete an application at http://www.oneruntogether.org by clicking on Patient Grant Application. ORT's board of directors reviews all applications, which must be signed and submitted by an oncologist or a certified professional. After an application is approved, bills are submitted for direct payment.

Prior to the pandemic, Murphy personally delivered the grants to the patients and presented them with a Bible. "I am hoping to get back to that. Right now, I don't want to risk their health any more than it already is," he shared. "I still send a package with a Bible and a Gospel tract and call the patients and talk to them and pray with them - if they will allow me to - over the phone."

For more information about ORT or to donate, visit http://www.oneruntogether.org or http://www.facebook.com/oneruntogether. The Facebook page contains photos of the patients helped by ORT and their stories.