Newswise — LOS ANGELES (Sept. 4, 2013) – Registration is now open for the ninth annual Run for Her® 5K Run and Friendship Walk supporting ovarian cancer research and awareness. The Los Angeles walk’s growing popularity inspired participants to organize the first New York City Run for Her to underscore the importance of advancing medical discoveries and treatments. “Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths among women, mainly because women aren’t aware of the common symptoms, including consistent bloating, pelvic pain and frequent urination,” said Beth Y. Karlan, MD, director of the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. “Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives — as does raising awareness and essential research funds. I consider all Run for Her participants and advocates to be true heroes.”
Run for Her supports the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute.
Early registration costs $35 online or by mail and ends Friday, Oct. 4. Late or day-of-walk registration costs $40. For additional information and a downloadable registration form, visit runforher.com, or call toll-free 888-704-6178.
New York’s Run for Her begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Hudson River Park, located at Pier 84 (cross at 44th Street). A post-walk celebration is scheduled. More information on the New York Run for Her is available at runforher.kintera.org/ny.
Kara DioGuardi, GRAMMY nominated songwriter, Warner Bros. executive, Arthouse Entertainment music publisher and former “American Idol” judge, will serve as spokeswoman for the inaugural New York Run for Her. DioGuardi, whose mother died of ovarian cancer, underwent genetic testing after hearing a news report about ovarian cancer and genetics. Tests revealed DioGuardi had the BRCA2 gene mutation, which greatly increases the chance of developing breast and ovarian cancers. She underwent surgery to remove her uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes to reduce her chance of developing the disease.
“I am thrilled to be a part of supporting such an important cause,” DioGuardi said. “Raising awareness and research funds is crucial to curing this hideous disease.”
The Los Angeles Run for Her kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd. The USATF-certified course heads west on Third Street to Cedars-Sinai and loops back to Pan Pacific Park and the Finish Line Festival featuring music, prizes, T-shirts, goodie bags and giveaways. Run for Her was founded in 2005 by Kelli Sargent in honor of her mother, Nanci Sargent, who lost her life to ovarian cancer. Kelli says that the run-walk “carries forward Mom’s strength, inspiration and compassion” and her dream of helping medical science develop a cure for the disease. This year more than 5,000 people are expected to come together to support Nanci’s dream of ending cancer as a threat to women. To date, Run for Her has raised more than $5 million to support the work of the Women’s Cancer Program.
Corporate sponsors include Pacific Sales Kitchen & Bath Showrooms, LG Electronics and DFS Galleria.
About the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai:The Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute works to end cancer as a threat to women through research, education, early detection and prevention. Established in January 2002, the Women’s Cancer Program fosters collaborative research between scientists and physicians to bring innovative laboratory discoveries directly to women with breast and gynecologic cancers. Under the leadership of Beth Y. Karlan, MD, an internationally recognized gynecologic cancer surgeon and research scientist, the Women’s Cancer Program works side-by-side with Cedars-Sinai's patient care programs and services to integrate research across a wide spectrum of programs devoted to preventing, diagnosing and treating women's cancers.
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