9/2/2021
PITTSBURGH – Television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz will join UPMC oncologists and researchers for the inaugural “Race to Beat Women’s Cancers,” on at 8 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 5 at the North Park Boathouse.
This 5K walk/run, presented by A Glimmer of Hope Foundation and UPMC Health Plan, will fund women’s cancer research and patient care initiatives at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation (MWRIF).
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. It is research funding that has produced promising new therapies and helped to decrease the number of deaths caused by cancer.
“Because of the extensive research in breast cancer, such as that done right here in Pittsburgh at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and MWRI, I am confident in saying that nearly 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer today will survive their disease,” said Adam Brufsky, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Magee-Womens 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.”
Dr. Oz, an Emmy award winner and star of “The Dr. Oz Show,” will join UPMC Hillman oncologists at the event, where he also will talk about ways to stay healthy.
“Empowered Americans will beat cancer with healthy lifestyles, smart screening and expedited care by top-notch health care providers, such as those here in Pittsburgh at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital,” says Dr. Oz. “I am proud to join them in this effort.”
The presenting sponsor, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, has a long history of supporting breast cancer research and patient care initiatives. Founder Diana Napper notes that her organization’s approach balances the longer-term pursuit of research with improving the lives of cancer patients here and now.
“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.”
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and MWRI research programs focus on breast, ovarian and gynecologic cancers including cervical and uterine cancers. From developing new preventative and treatment approaches through clinical trials to improving detection and screening methods, these programs also seek to solve treatment resistance in some cancers and personalize treatment for patients.
“Money raised from events like the Race to Beat Women’s Cancers plays a vital role in our community,” says Janice Devine, executive director of development for MWRI. “We believe everyone can contribute to advancing cancer research and patient care initiatives here in Pittsburgh. We can’t wait to see everyone at our first race.”
Click the Race to Beat Cancer graphic below to learn more and to register with a team or as an individual.
