KIRKLAND RACES TO BETTER PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS
Released on: October 20, 2008, 7:58 am
Press Release Author: Tara Goodin
Industry: Healthcare
Press Release Summary: Hundreds Lend Support to National Effort
Press Release Body: KIRKLAND, Wash. - This year, hundreds of Washingtonians will join a national effort in the fight against prostate cancer. On Sunday, November 2 at 9:00 a.m., the Fourth Annual Kirkland PACE Race - which includes runners and walkers at all fitness levels - will help support the mission of the Prostate Cancer Education Council (PCEC) by raising awareness of prostate cancer. This event, which will take place at scenic Marina Park, is part of the PCEC's national PACE Race Series, which helps to educate men and their families on the importance of early detection.
The PACE Race is not only an opportunity to raise awareness, but much needed funds to ensure all men have the opportunity to be screened for prostate cancer. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the University of Washington Medical Center to help the center provide free prostate cancer screenings to local men.
"The PACE Race is much more than your average fundraiser, generating community awareness of a serious disease that continues to take the lives of thousands of men each year," said Shana Allen, Event Manager of the Kirkland PACE Race. "Through the race we are able to educate men about the importance of early detection and yearly screening and, at the same time, raise money to make those screenings possible."
Inspiring more than 500 participants, the Kirkland PACE Race provides an opportunity for the whole family to join the fight with a 5K run/walk, a one mile family fitness walk and a kid's dash for participants eight and under. Following the race, participants can enjoy the post party, which will feature music, an awards ceremony, survivor recognition and more. Additionally, as part of their efforts to raise greater prostate cancer awareness in Kirkland, the PCEC will provide gift bags for race participants and host a race-day prostate cancer education booth where people can talk to a doctor and pick up informational materials.
"Raising awareness about prostate cancer is extremely important to us, as the disease currently affects more than 2 million American men," said Wendy Poage, President, Prostate Cancer Education Council. "With races throughout the country, we have a real opportunity to touch men in all walks of life and educate them, and their families, about this devastating disease."
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, other than skin cancers, in American men. With a one in six lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer, estimates for 2008 indicate that more than 186,000 men will be diagnosed in the United States and nearly 28,700 will die from the disease. The second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer, prostate cancer is often treatable if detected early.
U.S. marathon legend Bill Rodgers, the national spokesperson for the PACE Race Series and a prostate cancer survivor, cannot stress the importance of screenings enough. "It is my hope that all men at risk for prostate cancer are screened for this deadly disease. It's the best way to detect prostate cancer in its early stages because there are no early warning signs or symptoms," he said. "Even though I began running again only four months after my tumor was removed, I continue to receive regular screenings and advise other men to do the same."
The PACE Race Series - sponsored by sanofi-aventis to benefit the PCEC - was launched in 2002 to increase national awareness of prostate cancer. To learn more about prostate cancer, the PACE Race Series or PCEC, please visit www.prostateconditions.org.
About the PACE Race Series Men, women, families, friends and neighbors - at all fitness levels - are invited to participate in the PACE Race Series. This 5K run/walk series was launched in 2002 by the PCEC to increase awareness of prostate cancer and to educate men and their families on the importance of early detection. With events across the country, the PACE Race Series has the ability to touch men and women of all walks of life. For more information please visit www.pacerace.org.
About the Prostate Cancer Education Council A national organization committed to men's health, the Prostate Cancer Education Council (PCEC) is dedicated to saving lives through awareness and the education of men, the women in their lives, as well as the medical community about prostate cancer prevalence, the importance of early detection, and available treatment options, as well as other men's health issues. The Council - comprised of a consortium of leading physicians, health educators, scientists and prostate cancer advocates - aims to conduct nation wide screenings for men and perform research that will aid in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer. More information is available at www.prostateconditions.org.
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