Nation's premier event for colorectal cancer awareness holds 12th annual event on Sat., Sept. 17, to raise money for local colorectal cancer screening efforts
On Saturday, September 17, runners, walkers, volunteers, colorectal cancer survivors, and caregivers will gather in the fight against the nation's No. 2 cancer killer: colon cancer. Get Your Rear in Gear − Boston is a family-friendly 5K run/walk to raise awareness and encourage screening for this largely preventable cancer. Opening ceremonies kick off at 8:40 a.m. with the timed 5K starting at 9:10 a.m. The course begins and ends at DCR Mother's Rest at Carson Beach. Along with the timed 5K, there is also a Kid's Fun Run, followed by music, snacks, and runner awards.
Get Your Rear in Gear events are held in annually in nearly 40 communities across North America, including Boston for the past 12 years. Join us to celebrate survivors, support caregivers, and remember those who left us too soon. Visit the giant inflatable colon to see what your doctor sees during a colonoscopy. Stroll the Blue Mile and see celebratory tributes to those lost and messages honoring survivors of colon and rectal cancer. Registration information is available at ColonCancerCoalition.org/Boston.
Get Your Rear in Gear events educate the public and raise funds for colon cancer screening and prevention. Money raised is kept local to the Boston area for these purposes.
In 2022, the Colon Cancer Coalition through Get Your Rear in Gear – Boston is collaborating with the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) around the creation of educational messages and materials for public distribution through selected media outlets and community partners. BPHC has created these materials through focus groups and interviews to develop messages that will reach the high-risk individuals and those with family history. These messages will start rolling out in early September and are presented with culturally appropriate graphics with the message to get screened presented in native languages when applicable.
"Colorectal cancer is most treatable when found early through screening colonoscopy, so I am grateful to the Colon Cancer Coalition for increasing awareness among all Bostonians," said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. "But we must improve screening rates, especially among communities made vulnerable. From 2019 to 2021, Black residents in Boston experienced colorectal cancer mortality rates that were nearly twice as high as white residents. Improving access to essential preventative care, like colonoscopy, is crucial to promoting health equity and improving outcomes."
"We are thrilled to support the Boston Public Health Commission's work to reach residents in their native languages with the important lifesaving message of colorectal cancer screening," says Chris Evans, president of the Colon Cancer Coalition. "Early detection of colorectal cancer is key to effective treatment of this disease that affects 1 out of 24 people. Get Your Rear in Gear events raise awareness by educating everyone about the symptoms of colorectal cancer, encouraging folks to learn their family health history, and scheduling routine screenings. We are proud that Get Your Rear in Gear – Boston can support Bostonians in this way and many others."
Additional funds have been dedicated to colorectal cancer screening programs through Boston Health Care for the Homeless, Family Van, and the Dimmock Center. Other public awareness messages and campaigns have also been supported by money raised at this event in the past 11 years.
"My brother-in-law was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was in his 30s," notes Brian Shelly, Kingston-resident and local event director for Get Your Rear in Gear – Boston. "I brought Get Your Rear in Gear to Boston because I want to increase awareness about the signs and symptoms and encourage all people to be knowledgeable about their bodies and be screened for colon cancer. By talking openly about colon health and the importance of colon cancer screening, more lives can be saved."
Information about volunteering, fundraising, sponsoring the event or forming a team can also be found at ColonCancerCoalition.org/Boston.
About the Colon Cancer Coalition / Get Your Rear in Gear®
The Colon Cancer Coalition is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging screening and raising awareness of colorectal cancer. The organization's signature Get Your Rear in Gear® event series is volunteer-driven in communities throughout the United States. Annually, the Colon Cancer Coalition works to distribute over $1 million dollars to communities across the United States to build and sustain programs that (1) encourage early prevention & screening, (2) provide public education and awareness, (3) fund research to improve the quality of life for patients both young and old, and (4) provide support for those living with this disease. By making the words colon, colorectal and colonoscopy a part of everyday language, we believe we can overcome the fear and decrease deaths from this largely preventable cancer. For more information visit ColonCancerCoalition.org.
About the Boston Public Health Commission
The Boston Public Health Commission is the country's oldest health department. Governing (BPHC) is a seven-member board of health, appointed by the Mayor of Boston. The mission of the BPHC is to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. We achieve our mission by providing and supporting accessible high-quality community-based health and social services; community engagement and advocacy; development of health promoting policies and regulations; disease and injury prevention; emergency services; health promotion; and health education services.
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| Get Your Rear in Gear® for Colon Cancer Awareness - Colon Cancer Coalition Boston 5K - Sep 17 |
