Published on August 5, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 5, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT
Apoorva Sabnis-Stull
703-837-3687
apoorva.sabnis-stull@preventcancer.org
ALEXANDRIA, VA — This September 26, the Prevent Cancer Foundation will host its first annual Step Away From Cancer 5K® run/walk in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. Joining in the day’s festivities will be Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn and honorary chair and celebrity fitness guru Denise Austin, who will lead the pre-race warm-up, along with trainers from the event’s fitness partner, Sport&Health.
“The Step Away from Cancer 5K® run/walk is a great way for people to actively take steps to prevent cancer,” explains Denise Austin. “I’m so thrilled to be part of the Foundation’s inaugural race and hope you will join us!”
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Step Away from Cancer 5K®,” explains Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn, owner of Good Stuff Eatery. “My staff and I will be there walking and supporting cancer prevention research.”
The Step Away From Cancer 5K® aims to encourage the public to take their own steps to prevent cancer, through regular screenings and leading a healthy lifestyle. Proceeds from theStep Away From Cancer 5K® will help support the Foundation’s important cancer prevention research, education and community outreach programs nationwide.
“We are so excited to have Denise as our honorary race/walk chair and local celebrity chef Spike join us,” says Carolyn Aldigé, President and Founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “This event really reinforces our Foundation’s mission; that physical activity lowers the risk of most cancers. Together, we can all take steps away from cancer.”
Even if you cannot attend the event in Washington, D.C., the Foundation has a viral Step Away From Cancer® 5K Run/Walk so people nationwide can participate in their own 5K run/walks on September 26. To register for a personal event, visit the Step Away From Cancer 5K® Run/Walk section, and click on http://reducerisk.preventcancer.org/site/GetTogether?cal_activity_id=1000&gettogether=activity_splash.
Event sponsors include: PhRMA, GEICO®, the NACDS Foundation, Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Price Waterhouse Coopers. Good Stuff Eatery is a Step Away from Cancer 5K™ race partner along with Sport&Health, Georgetown Running Company, Reston Limousine, Subway® and D.C. United.
Individual registration is $25 to enter the run/walk and children under 12 are free. All registrants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Transponder timing operated by Capital Running Company will be used to score the 5K. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers. Awards will be also given to the first and second place finishers in the men and women’s age divisions. The post-race awards ceremony begins at approximately 9 a.m. For more information or to register online please visit www.runwashington.com.
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About Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Prevent Cancer Foundation was founded in 1985. Today, it is one of the nation’s leading health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Through healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin and testicular cancers. Since its inception the Prevent Cancer Foundation has provided more than $106 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country. The Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to nearly 400 scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic medical centers nationwide. This research has been pivotal in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important cancer prevention and early detection strategies. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.
About Denise Austin
Dubbed “America’s Favorite Fitness expert,” Denise Austin is the creator of the online nutrition and fitness program DeniseAustin.com. She is a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and has sold nearly 20 million exercise videos and DVDs and written nine books on fitness. She is the former host of several television shows, including “Denise Austin’s Daily Workout,” the longest running fitness show on television.
