7th annual TGen event at Kiwanis Park benefits pancreatic cancer patients
October 25, 2012
The 7th annual stepNout Run/Walk/Dash begins a march toward the
$1 million mark in fundraising for pancreatic cancer research at
the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Registration begins at 7 a.m., opening ceremonies are set for 8:30
a.m., and races - including a 5K run - start at 9 a.m. on Nov. 4 at
Tempe's Kiwanis Community Park, 6111 S. All-America Way. Nearly
1,000 participants are expected again this year.
Vowing to continue "fighting pancreatic cancer, one step at a
time," organizers are embarking on a goal to eventually surpass the
$1 million mark in fundraising. Last year, stepNout participants
eclipsed $500,000 in total donations since the event started in
2006.
Kathy Wills, this year's stepNout chairperson, said she has been
inspired by TGen Physician-In-Chief Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, who
treated her late mother, Ann Yturri, for pancreatic cancer.
"My fondest memory of Dr. Von Hoff is when he met with my mom and
told her that, 'Someday, we will wake up and there will be a cure
for pancreatic cancer. From that point forward, everyone with this
awful disease will be cured.' I thought that was so encouraging,
and it really made me want to help find a cure as soon as
possible," Wills said.
To visit a memorial for her mother, a talented artist known for
making friends with everyone she met, please go to
www.tgenfoundation.org, click on Memorials and scroll to Ann
Yturri.
Ann was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer soon after turning 60,
and like so many with this aggressive, fast-moving disease, passed
away within a few months.
Nearly 44,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
this year, and more than 37,000 will die from this disease, which
kills 74 percent of those diagnosed within the first year. Only 6
percent survive more than five years. The pancreas is a gland
behind the stomach that secretes enzymes into the small intestine
to help digestion and produce hormones. There are no early
detection methods available, so the cancer usually is not found
until its advanced stages.
This year's stepNout emcee will be ABC15 News Emmy-nominated
reporter Kimberly Cheng.
Among the ways to raise funds, supporters can purchase $5 raffle
tickets (5 for $20) for a chance to win a $1,000 VISA gift card,
which was generously donated by the Matsch Family who lost three of
their family members to pancreatic cancer. Raffle tickets are
available at www.helptgen.org. "Every dollar raised through this
promotion brings us one step closer to a cure," Wills said.
Participants also can join a team, sponsor a runner, or simply
make a donation. Online registration ends Oct. 30.
TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff said that each year the
stepNout event enables thousands of people to join TGen's
pancreatic cancer research team in the fight against this awful
disease. "Based on the research team's continued success, we
anticipate that this year's event will be the largest ever,"
Bassoff said.
November is national Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, a special
time for TGen's National Pancreatic Cancer Committee as it marks 7
years of making a difference in the lives of those battling the
nation's fourth leading cause of cancer death.
If you go to stepNout
What: The Translational Genomics Research
Institute's (TGen's) 7th annual stepNout Run/Walk/Dash, benefiting
TGen pancreatic cancer research.
Where: The south end of Tempe's Kiwanis Community
Park, 6111 S. All-America Way, Tempe. Enter off Guadalupe Road at
All American Way, between Rural and Kyrene roads.
When: 7-11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4.
Registration starts at 7 a.m.; races begin at 9 a.m.; an awards
ceremony is set for 10 a.m.; and a kids' dash is planned for 10:30
a.m.
Cost: Registration fees range from $15 to $35,
depending on age and competition. Children ages 4 and under are
free.
Registration: You can register at the event, or
register online by Oct. 30 by visiting www.tgenfoundation.org and
clicking the stepNout icon.
Parking: Please leave valuable items at home, or
lock them in your trunk. Parking is available along All-American
Way and surrounding lots.
Why: Organizers hope to raise more than $100,000 for TGen's
pancreatic cancer research.
# # #
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. For more
information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contacts:
Erin Massey
Vice President of Development, Cancer Programs
TGen Foundation
602-343-8470
[email protected]
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
