On Saturday, September 6th, thousands will gather at Shelby Farms Park for the 13th annual West Fight On—Memphis’ largest cancer survivor celebration. At the heart of this event—the largest fundraiser for West Cancer Foundation—are two people with a lot of heart and a lot of energy to bring the event to life. Meet Richard Murphy and Emily Willhite, co-chairs of this year’s West Fight On.
Both seasoned volunteers, Richard and Emily’s paths to West Fight On were inspired by personal stories, deep community ties and a shared desire to make a difference.
A Call to Serve—and Keep Showing Up
Richard’s journey with West Fight On began in 2017 through the local running community. A fellow runner and cancer survivor, Kate Horton, invited him to volunteer. He had had several direct and personal experiences with cancer including a scare with his then-wife early in their marriage, her grandmother passing away from pancreatic cancer and a good friend of the family who died from cancer. When he agreed to volunteer for West Fight On, he had limited exposure to West Cancer Foundation but a strong desire to help and pitch in wherever needed.
“My job that first year was picking up trash,” Richard recalls with a laugh. “I wasn’t sure how I could help out at the beginning, but picking up trash needed to be done, so I did it. And I just kept showing up every year after that.”
This is Richard’s third time to co-chair West Fight On, and in 2024 he was named Volunteer of the Year for West Cancer Foundation. He brings a humble, service-first approach to leadership—and a deep belief in the mission.
“The amazing thing about this event is that it’s not just survivors who show up, it’s their support networks. Sometimes 25 to 30 people show up for one participant. And even if you don’t have family, West Cancer Foundation is a place where you can find that support,” he said.
From Participant to Leader: Emily’s Full-Circle Moment
Emily’s introduction to West Fight On also came through her friendship with Kate Horton, the same one who encouraged Richard to get involved. Kate has been involved in West Fight On for 10 years, was named Volunteer of the Year in 2023, and has brought literally dozens of volunteers, sponsors and supporters to the West Fight On family. For Emily, her connection to Kate and West Fight On started in the running community, but she later shifted to triathlons and began participating in the cycling component of the event.
After years of participating and supporting from the sidelines, Emily joined the committee this year and has stepped up in the co-chair role alongside Richard. She’s already made a big impact and has brought new ideas to help make the event even bigger and better.
“I wanted to help grow the cycling portion of the event,” said Emily. “Memphis has a strong community of competitive and leisure riders, and I saw an opportunity to expand and energize that part of the experience. I’m excited to come up with innovative ideas—or maybe just tweak current ones—to grow it into a signature event that people even outside of Memphis look forward to every year.”
Emily is a longtime volunteer across multiple organizations including the Memphis Hightailers and Memphis Thunder Racing. Her passion to help West Cancer Foundation, however, has continued to grow and is rooted in her respect for the free cancer services the Foundation provides to patients and caregivers. In addition to West Fight On, Emily rode for the first time in 2025 with the She to Sea team, a group of female cyclists who ride from Memphis to Seagrove Beach, FL, to raise money and awareness for the Foundation. As she considers her motivation for dedicating so much time to volunteering, she reflects on the importance of connection with others, especially those in need. She tells a story about a co-worker who she didn’t know was receiving treatment. After hearing of Emily’s involvement with West Cancer Foundation, the co-worker said the Foundation has been a godsend. “That really brought it all full circle for me,” she said.
A Community Celebration with Deep Purpose
When asked what they look forward to most, both co-chairs mention the emotional power of the day itself.
For Emily, it’s seeing the culmination of months of work and community collaboration coming together for a common purpose. “When I mention West Fight On, people always light up and say ‘Oh my gosh, I love that event’ so I’m really looking forward to seeing it all unfold and celebrating with the team.”
For Richard, it’s that quiet, bittersweet moment when the trucks arrive at the end to begin dismantling the event: “Because at that moment, I realize—we did it. All these people were served, we raised a ton of money and we got through it. And then we get a break before doing it all again.”
West Fight On isn’t just a race or a ride. It’s a declaration of support, a celebration of survivorship and a way for the Memphis community to show up for those facing cancer.
“It means something different to everyone, but what’s universal is the connection. Whether you’re riding, walking, volunteering or cheering from the sidelines, you’re part of something bigger,” Emily said.
Join Us September 6 at Shelby Farms Park
Whether you’re a longtime participant or brand-new to the cause, join us at West Fight On to experience the energy, hope and purpose behind Memphis’ largest cancer survivor event.
Come walk, run or ride—or register as a Spirit Runner if you can’t be there in person—to celebrate with survivors and honor those we’ve lost to this devastating disease.
