How many women do you know? Mothers, friends, sisters and girlfriends; count them all. According to recent research, one in every eight of those women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. But people are working to cure this disease, and now you can help, too.
On Oct. 13, the City of Hope is presenting the third annual 5K Walk and Fun Run at UCSD. The North Campus Recreation Area Track will be transformed into a mass of survivors and supporters, all walking towards a cure. Registration is at 6:45 a.m. and the walk begins at 8 a.m. If you cannot attend the walk itself, there will be an awards ceremony and festival immediately following. Stephanie Coolich, the assistant director of development at the City of Hope San Diego Office, says that along with the opportunity to win a Harley, there will be clowns, face painters, interactive games, vendor booths and music for all to enjoy. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the festival and walk go directly to fund research and other programs at the City of Hope.
What is the City of Hope and how can you be sure that your money and effort is going to a worthy cause?
The organization was founded in 1913 when a small group of sympathetic citizens constructed two tents at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains for people suffering from tuberculosis. These original founders believed in equal opportunity for medical care, as well as the right to a healthy life.
The City of Hope now conducts research into the treatment and prevention of many life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, HIV/AIDS, various forms of cancer and genetic disorders. The City of Hope’s programs involve a focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of these illnesses. Eighty-eight cents out of every dollar go directly to research and patient programs. This amounts to $2 dollars per week. According to literature from the organization, more than 400 clinical trials are taking place on any given day.
Of the 2.6 million American women who have breast cancer, half do not even know that they have it. The City of Hope Cancer Screening and Prevention Program works to detect cancer in the most treatable, early stages. According to their Web site, 90 percent of breast cancer victims survive the disease if identified and treated properly in the beginning stages.
Since its opening, the City of Hope has made vast advancements in the treatment and prevention of diseases that affect millions of people. Current City of Hope projects include the testing of T-cell therapy and investigations into the effectiveness of using cancer-seeking proteins to destroy cancer cells.
When asked what the students of UCSD can do to help in the fight against breast cancer, Coolich enthusiastically replied, “”Participate!”” There were 800 attendees in 2000, 1,500 in 2001 and Coolich said that they hope for 2,500 this year.
One can join individually or as a team. To register and receive a T-shirt, the minimum donation is $25. For those who prefer to volunteer, there is a meeting at the San Diego Regional Office on Oct. 9. Registration can be completed online until Oct. 8 at http://www.walk4hope.org, or you can bring the registration forms available around campus to the event. Donations can be sent to the San Diego Regional Office at 5090 Shoreham Place, Suite 212, in San Diego, CA 92122.
More information and all statistics in this article can be found at http://walk.coh.org””
