News
Fort Wayne One of Only 27 Cities Nationwide to Host Inaugural Great Prostate Cancer Challenge
The Summit City is set to become one of only 27 locations across the country to host an event that builds awareness and raises money for the fight against prostate cancer. The first Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K run/walk will be held Sunday, October 2, 2011. Northeast Indiana Urology has teamed up with Project Zero, a national organization whose mission is to reduce deaths from prostate cancer to zero, to bring the challenge to Fort Wayne.
All funds raised through the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge will go to Project Zero to be used for research, free prostate cancer screenings and advocacy. Half of the proceeds from the Fort Wayne run/walk will remain in the community.
“Many of the cities taking part this year are much larger than Fort Wayne, so this is another feather in our cap and a plus for area patients who are impacted by prostate cancer,” said Ted Wagner, MD, Northeast Indiana Urology. “My practice deals largely with diagnosing and treating prostate cancer. Although NEIU is very skilled in this area, we share the mission of Project Zero to reduce deaths from prostate cancer to zero and this event helps us continue moving in that direction.”
NEIU sees this as a tremendous opportunity to build awareness regarding early screening and detection, to provide support for those individuals who have been affected by this disease and to celebrate those who have been successfully treated.
At the age of 48, Jon Colbert was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer which had metastasized to the bones. He hopes his decision to serve as a spokesperson and participate in this year’s challenge will serve as a wakeup call for others who may be able to avoid what he’s gone through battling this disease.
“Fort Wayne’s inclusion in this effort is significant because it shows how important we think it is to educate people about this type of cancer,” said Colbert. “All it takes is a simple blood test and a quick physical exam.”
One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Nationally, a man dies from prostate cancer every 18 minutes. But there is hope; education about prostate cancer risk and access to screenings can save countless lives. Supporters are being invited to join hundreds of others from the area who have been impacted in one way or another by prostate cancer.
Event organizers are excited to be holding the challenge in the historic and scenic Rockhill Park and Wildwood Park neighborhood of Fort Wayne. This location is a unique opportunity for those who are avid runners as well as those who just enjoy a stroll in the park on a fall morning.
The 2011 Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K run/walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Lindley Elementary School parking lot, 2201 Ardmore Ave. The entry fee is $20 through September 20 and $23 after September 20 and through race day October 2. The entry fee includes a timing chip, long-sleeve t-shirt and pancake breakfast following the race. Visit www.GreatProstateCancerChallenge.com/races/fort-wayne to learn more and to register as an individual or as a team.
Awards will be given to the top three prostate cancer survivors and to the top male and female finishers in the following age groups: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 & over.
NEIU is an 11 physician urology group with 12 locations throughout northeastern Indiana and northwestern Ohio. It excels in the area of prostate cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. NEIU has the largest urology research program in the area and many of its clinical trials have focused on medications and devices associated with prostate cancer. NEIU also holds quarterly free prostate cancer screenings and supports the annual Blue Ball Open golf outing to raise money for prostate cancer.