UMass Medicine Cancer Walk Slated for Sunday, September 28, 2014

WORCESTER, Mass., Aug. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Massachusetts' most celebrated cause-related activity, the UMass Medicine Cancer Walk, will take place on Sunday, September 28, 2014. Now in its 16th year, the UMass Medicine Cancer Walk is expected to attract more than 12,000 individuals, business leaders, employees, community organizations and teams who are raising funds to support cancer research and clinical trials, right at the UMass Medical Cancer Center of Excellence.

This year's event will be kicked off with a 5K run as well as a "survivor's lap" which will take place around the UMass Medical School quad, led by a UMass team of cancer doctors, researchers and nursing staff. The actual Cancer Walk will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. Registration for all activities will take place at UMass Memorial Medical Center located at 55 Lake Avenue North, in Worcester, MA. Timing is as follows:   

Sunday, September 28, 2014:
Run Registration:  7 a.m.
Run Start: 8 a.m.
Walk Registration:  8 a.m.
Stage Program and Run Awards Ceremony: 9 a.m.
Walk Start and Survivor's Lap:  10 a.m.           

From its small start in 1999, when Dottie Manning and a family friend Bob Haynes organized the first Cancer Walk in honor of their loved ones and the battles they fought against the disease, the UMass Medicine Cancer Walk has raised more than $7.5 million with $510,000 raised in 2013 alone. This year's fundraising goal of $575,000 reflects the challenge put forth to all with the Walk's aptly-named new theme, "Let's pick up the pace."

"September 28 will be a day of hope, inspiration and giving — a time when communities unite with the sole purpose of helping those who have, or may face, a cancer prognosis in their own life or that of a loved one," said Beth Whitney, UMass Cancer Walk Event Manager.  Whitney adds, "Those who participate will be rewarded with knowing that the time and effort they have devoted, and the money they have raised, will allow UMass Medicine to continue working towards breakthrough discoveries, saving lives and helping patients manage their illnesses."

In addition to the overwhelming number of individuals and teams that raise funds for the Cancer Walk, corporate partners including the Harr Motor Group, Panera and Stop & Shop are instrumental in ensuring the success of the event.

For more information about the UMass Medicine Cancer Walk, visit www.umassmed.edu/cancerwalk or call 508-856-2589

About UMass Cancer Center of Excellence:

As part of the commonwealth's first and only academic health sciences system, the Cancer Center of Excellence delivers quality, compassionate care and conducts innovative scientific research and clinical trials. Offering a range of clinical services, including diagnostic testing, chemotherapy infusion, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and blood and bone marrow transplant, the Cancer Center provides patients with the best possible care as well as information to increase awareness about lifestyle changes for prevention and assessment of cancer risks.

SOURCE Beth Whitney UMass Cancer Walk Event Manager