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November 9, 2009

The 2nd Annual Phoenix Undy 5000

Phoenix, AZ (November 9, 2009) – The 2nd Annual Phoenix Undy 5000 5K run will be held on November 21st at 9:00 AM in downtown Phoenix. The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), a national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer, and its local chapter, Voices of Central Arizona will host the event.

The Undy 5000 5K run 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. The run 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 Arizona Cancer Control Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services.

This event stands out from many other 5K events because participants run in specially made boxer-style shorts, a fun way to bring attention to a serious disease. The event is a family-oriented event open to all ages.

”We are thrilled to return to one of our most successful cities to help raise awareness of this often ignored, but very deadly disease:” said Andrew Spiegel, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance.

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 event is especially meaningful for Michelle Hastings, a stage III colon cancer survivor and public relations chair of the Voices Chapter of Central Arizona. "The 2008 Undy was the first time since my diagnosis that I didn't feel alone. It was like all of these people were there for me; it made me feel like I wasn't the only person battling colon cancer. The Undy gave me hope when I needed it most," said Hastings, who was diagnosed in 2008 and is looking forward to this year’s event.

Sponsors of this event include Salix Pharmaceuticals, Genentech Bio-Oncology, sanofi-aventis, MITA (Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance), the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The Comprehensive Cancer Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, The Mayo Clinic, Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center, Debora J. McClary, MD and Adrienne Forstner-Barthell, MD.

More information about the Undy 5000 5K run is available online at www.undy5000.org.

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About The Colon Cancer Alliance
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, education, research and advocacy across North America.

As the Voice of Survivors, the CCA works as an advocate for colorectal cancer patients and their families. The CCA offers information and support from the first-hand experience of survivors and others whose lives have been touched by this disease.

Each year the CCA provides information and services to hundreds of thousands affected by the disease.

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