8/3/2021
WHAT: The Race to Beat Women’s Cancers is a 5K walk/run dedicated to raising funds for women’s cancer research and improving patient care. UPMC oncologists and researchers will be joined by television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz as they address participants to explain how funds raised for critical research translates into new discoveries in cancer treatment and therapies that today are curing women of breast and gynecologic cancers.
WHY: An estimated 240,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and another 90,000 are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers. Funds raised from the Race to Beat Women’s Cancers will support basic and clinical research conducted at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI). A portion of the money raised will be dedicated to metastatic breast cancer research.
“It is because of the extensive research in breast cancer, such as that done right here in Pittsburgh at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and MWRI, that I am able to say that nearly 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer today will survive their disease,” says Adam Brufsky, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Magee-Women's Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “Our clinicians and researchers work tirelessly to understand the origin of women’s cancers, how they spread and how we can improve treatment so that we can continue to cure these diseases.”
Diana Napper, founder of A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, a presenting sponsor of the event, notes that patients’ well-being also must be prioritized during their cancer treatment.
“Women living with cancer are under extreme stress,” says Napper. “We want to provide them some comfort in the present while also focusing on better patient outcomes down the road. This race will help us achieve both of those goals.”
WHEN: 7:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 5
WHERE: North Park Boathouse, 10301 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park, Pa., 15101.
Preregistration is required: Follow link to register with a team or to participate as an individual and to find out more about the Race to Beat Cancer. Register by Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Note to Media: To cover this event, contact Cyndy Patton at 412-415-6085 or PattonC4@upmc.edu.