Light rain didn’t keep 450 runners from participating in the 4th Annual Give Cancer the Boot Survivorship 5K Run/Walk. The April 6 event took place at the Mays Cancer Center, home of UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.
In celebration of “Give Cancer the Boot” becoming an official 5K, participants received a specially designed race medal.
This year’s run was the first chip-timed 5K event, with participants receiving a specially designed medal.
Maryam Elmi, M.D., was the first to cross the finish line. She is a surgical oncologist at the Mays Cancer Center. She also is an assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery at UT Health San Antonio.
The Texas Liver Tumor Center and Pancreas Tumor Center was the largest team in the 5K with 18 participants.
Encouragement
The drum line and dance team from Tom C. Clark High School helped kick off the race and welcomed runners and walkers as they completed the race. “When survivors crossed the finish line they were greeted with a purple carnation, congratulations and a big hug,” added Lauren Smith, marketing and communications manager at the Mays Cancer Center.
Families and friends joined together to form teams to support cancer survivors.
Funds raised help patients
About 650 people registered for the 5K run and one-mile walk that raised more than $35,000 for the Mays Cancer Center’s Oncology Support Services. After the race, cancer survivors received refreshments, complimentary chair massages from Massage Heights and makeup makeovers from Nordstrom.
Elizabeth Bowhay-Carnes, M.D., medical oncologist and the spokesperson at this year’s event, said, “This is a wonderful way to celebrate life and survivorship. It gives friends and family members a chance to show support for their loved ones.”
Runners and walkers could visit 30 vendor booths staffed by community organizations. The booths offered information about cancer support groups, survivorship care, genetic counseling and nutrition. Folklorico dancers, a photo booth and a bean bag toss entertained the crowd. Twenty sponsors supported the event.
See more photos from the race
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