Denver, Colo., April 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 3,000 people, including ovarian cancer survivors and family members and friends whose lives have been impacted by the disease, will gather in Denver's City Park on Saturday, June 9 for the 9th annual Jodi's Race for Awareness (JRA). The fundraiser, which features a 5K Run/Walk, 1-Mile Family Walk, Furry Friends Dog Zone and Expo, benefits the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA). Since its inception, JRA has grown the be the second largest ovarian cancer walk/run in the country and one of the top ten largest 5Ks in Colorado. Registration for the 2018 Jodi's Race for Awareness, sponsored by the Colorado Center for Gynecologic Oncology, is underway online at www.jodisrace.org with early bird discounts available until April 15.
The Race is a true celebration of life for those attending the event, as ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer and remains mysterious to many. Because there is no screening test for ovarian cancer, 80 percent of women are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, which dramatically reduces the survival rate. Being aware of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer – bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary urgency or frequency – can lead to early detection, which is critical to saving lives.
A large part of the fun on race day are the many colorful teams formed by families, friends and co-workers to show support for a survivor or in memory of a loved one diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Tents in Team Village are decorated with streamers, photos and memorabilia and awards are given for best t-shirts and most creative tent, in addition to prizes for the top fundraisers and fastest 5K finishers. All race participants also receive a teal egg with a prize inside. Teal is the ovarian cancer community’s color and COCA advocates that all women “check their eggs” thru regular visits to a gynecologist.
“It’s an Ovasaurus Rex tradition,” enthused ovarian cancer survivor Erin Elston about her team of friends and supporters. “I celebrate my survivorship every year with Jodi’s Race and all the lovely individuals who are the driving forces behind it.”
Jodi’s Race festivities, emceed by Channel 7NEWS anchor and host of The NOW, Theresa Marchetta, will begin with the Survivors’ Breakfast. Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, the Survivors’ Breakfast is a celebration at which survivors and their families can catch up with friends and support one another while enjoying breakfast before the race. Each survivor receives a special gift bag and one strand of teal beads for each year that has passed since her ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Jodi’s Race for Awareness was started in 2010 by Jodi Brammeier, a young wife and mother who believed her cancer would have been discovered earlier if she had known the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Jodi’s Race has raised more than $1.25 million to educate and assist Colorado women. Although Brammeier lost her battle with ovarian cancer shortly after the inaugural race, her spirit lives on at the annual event that helps raise awareness so that other women might find their cancer earlier and stand a better chance to survive the disease.
All money raised from Jodi's Race remains in Colorado and funds initiatives that support women with ovarian cancer, including COCACares Financial Assistance, Nicki's Circle Support Groups, the Ovarian Cancer Resource Guide, Comfort Kits for the newly diagnosed, an annual Raise Awareness campaign, and Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Lives®, a national program of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OFRFA).
In addition to participating on June 9th, supporters can also register for a Virtual Run or an Ova Sleep option at www.jodisrace.org. More information about COCA and its programs is available at www.colo-ovariancancer.org.
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