Lauren's Run & Picnic 2024

The Purple Monkeys are back for the 18th year supporting CURE Childhood Cancer’s Lauren’s Run and Picnic.  This event became an important part of our lives when Brandon was only 18 months old, having been diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just a month old.  We attended the event at Zoo Atlanta and stood in awe as we saw a community surround 2 families who’d lost their little girls to the same disease we were facing.  Those families, rather than drowning in their grief and pain, were choosing to direct it toward helping other children who might have a different outcome…toward helping MY child.  I remember being overwhelmed with emotion.  I didn’t know if I could be so selfless if my worst fears came true, and I quietly prayed I would never know.

From that day forward, I was committed to Lauren’s Run, as a volunteer, a fundraiser…whatever was needed.  Those days were well before I joined CURE.  Given my start with this event, what it meant to me, and my deep friendships with the 2 moms behind it, imagine my honor years later after I joined CURE when we made the decision to continue Lauren’s Run as a CURE event.  

The Purple Monkeys was the team name Ryan and Brandon chose when they were just 4 and 7 years old.   The Purple Monkeys is the vehicle through which we stand alongside the two families who lost their little girls all those years ago. We are so thankful for Brandon’s outcome – different than theirs, in part because of the years of effort they poured into advancing research before he was diagnosed.  The Purple Monkeys will continue to do the same for the kids yet to come.

Thank you for supporting the Purple Monkeys, Lauren’s Run and all children with cancer who are fighting for their tomorrows.

Gratefully, 
Ryan, Brandon and Kristin Connor