Colon Cancer Alliance

March 11, 2010

The First Annual San Diego Undy 5000 5K a Huge Success

San Diego, CA (March 11, 2010) - The 1st Annual San Diego Undy 5000 5K took place on Saturday, March 6 at 8:00 AM at the NTC Promenade, Liberty Station in Point Loma. More than 450 adults and children participated in the event to help bring greater awareness to colon cancer, the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

"San Diego's 1st Annual Undy 5000 was a great success and we attribute much of the success to the amazing work of our volunteers," said Andrew Spiegel, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA). "We raised more than $50,000 to help fund a wide variety of colorectal cancer programs and we look forward to further growing the event when we return to San Diego in 2011."

The Undy 5000, created by the CCA, is designed to promote awareness and education about colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The event particularly stresses the importance of timely colon cancer screening, and also provides valuable information for those already affected by the disease. The importance of getting screened early was never more apparent than it was for Patty So, a colorectal cancer survivor.

"At age 46 I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, something I would have never known about if I hadn't received a colonoscopy. Because the cancer was discovered early, I'm one hundred percent healthy and am cancer-free today," said Patty So, colon cancer survivor. "Get your colonoscopy as soon as your doctor prescribes one for you. It literally saved my life, and it could save yours."

The Undy 5000 is held in different cities across the country throughout the year. The goal of the event is to educate the public about colon cancer, promote screenings, and get people talking about this deadly, but preventable, disease. This event also raises much needed funds to support and build the CCA's national and local patient support and innovative public awareness programs. A percentage of the local proceeds will benefit the California Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C4).

Following the event, participants enjoyed products donated by Bear Naked and Popchips. Regional sponsors of this event included the California Colorectal Cancer Coalition, the California Dialogue on Cancer, The Endoscopy Center, the UC San Diego Medical Center and AlliedPath, Inc. National sponsors of the series included Salix Pharmaceuticals, Amgen Oncology, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Bristol Myers Squibb and Genentech.

More information about the Undy 5000 and upcoming events can be found online at www.undy5000.org

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The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. In order to increase rates of screening and survivorship, CCA provides patient support, education, research and advocacy across North America.

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