Press Releases

March 28, 2011

3rd Annual St. Louis Undy 5000 5K Run Sets Records

Threat of Snow Doesn’t Dampen Spirits of Colon Cancer Runners

St. Louis, MO (March 28) – The Colon Cancer Alliance’s 3rd Annual St. Louis Undy 5000 5K run was held on Saturday, March 26.  More than 1400 runners, a new attendance record, came out in full force despite the freezing temperatures to help bring greater awareness to colon cancer, the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

“St. Louis continues to break records,” said Andrew Spiegel, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance. “Not only did they have the most attendees of any Undy run in the nation, but Greg Ervin, a colon cancer survivor, encouraged 105 people to join his team, beating the previous record for largest team participation. The Undy 5000 had a fantastic showing in St. Louis with supporters raising more than $106,000!”

Adding to the excitement of the run, was the first-ever “Parade of Undies” fashion show with renowned American fashion designer and colon cancer survivor Carmen Marc Valvo who served as a judge. The “Parade of Undies” fashion show was sponsored by the makers of Dulcolax® products.

The Undy 5000 series, created by the Colon Cancer Alliance and held in cities across the nation, is designed to promote awareness and education about colon cancer. The event stresses the importance of timely colon cancer screening, and provides valuable information for those already affected by the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that 142,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. Through recommended screenings, this cancer can be caught early when treatment is most effective — or even prevented altogether when pre-cancerous polyps are detected and removed.

Sponsors of the event included Dulcolax, Walgreens, Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis, Genentech BioOncology, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Amgen Oncology, and the ASCRS (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons).

More information about the Undy 5000 is available 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, the CCA provides patient support, public education, supports research and conducts advocacy work across America.

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