Second Annual Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Run-Walk Set For July 14

7/10/2012

The 2nd annual Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma 5K Run/Walk will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, July 14 at the North Park Boathouse. Supported by the Sarcoma Foundation of America and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) Sarcoma Research Fund, last year’s event attracted over 900 participants and raised more than $50,000.

The mission of the race is to raise awareness of childhood and adult sarcoma and to fund cancer research in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. The race brings together sarcoma patients, families and their support systems from western Pennsylvania.

Sarcomas are rare cancerous tumors that develop in a variety of tissue structures, including nerves, muscles, joints and bones. These tumors can arise almost anywhere in the body, with most occurring in and around the extremities and in and around the organs. Sarcomas are most prevalent in children and young adults. Sarcoma is curable by surgery in almost 20 percent of cases, but about half of all sarcomas are resistant to any medical approach. At any one time, an estimated 50,000 patients in the United States are battling sarcoma, and about 5,000 people die annually from sarcoma.

In addition to the 5K walk/run, there will be a special auction featuring autographed items from Pittsburgh sports celebrities, as well as basket raffles provided by local businesses.

Interested participants can register at the race for $25 and pick up race packets from 7 to 8:15 a.m. Runners can sign up with a team or individually. The race route map is posted on the Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma website. The top three racers for both the male and female categories will win trophies, as will the top three in each of the eight different age groups for males and females. There will be a “Kid’s Fun Run” for awards and prizes as well as an obstacle challenge for children. Local band Act 80 and world entertainer Charlie Lustman will provide live entertainment. Free parking is available. The event will proceed rain or shine.

For more information, visit www.pittsburghcuresarcoma.org.