MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Colon Cancer Coalition, producers of the Get Your Rear in Gear® run/walk series, the nation's leading event series raising money for colon cancer education, prevention and patient support, is preparing for a jam-packed Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March. Events include eight run/walk events, a survivor/caregiver story series, awareness events, and messaging campaigns in several cities across the country.
Eight Get Your Rear in Gear® events are planned in March in five states across the country. These events kick-off the largest run/walk season in the organization's nine year history, with over 30 more to follow the rest of 2013. March events will be held in:
- Raleigh, N.C., Sat., March 2
- Savannah, Ga., Sat., March 2 (licensed event)
- Charlotte, N.C., Sat., March 9
- Hickory, N.C., Sat., March 16 (new host city in 2013)
- Philadelphia, Sun., March 17
- Memphis, Tenn., Sat., March 23
- Winston-Salem, N.C., Sat., March 23
- Mercer Island, Wash., Sun., March 24 (part of the Mercer Island Rotary Half Marathon)
The Colon Cancer Coalition, a grassroots organization that started in 2005 with one 5K race in Minneapolis, is on track to host 40 events in 2013, adding races in new cities including Hickory, N.C.; Appanoose County (Centerville), Iowa; Jefferson City, Mo.; and Virginia Beach, Va. A complete list of Get Your Rear in Gear events can be found at GetYourRearInGear.com/Events.
Faces of Blue
In addition to the races, Get Your Rear in Gear is hosting a special March web and social media campaign featuring the "Faces of Blue." The Faces of Blue tells a different story of colon cancer survivors, caregivers and others affected by this disease each day throughout the month of March. Visit GetYourRearInGear.com/Faces-of-Blue during March to read each new story.
Awareness Activities and Events
Get Your Rear in Gear volunteer event planners are also planning several awareness activities in their communities. Look for colon cancer messaging campaigns in Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Kan.; Ladd, Ill.; Mercer Island, Wash.; Memphis, Tenn.; Rochester, Minn.; Philadelphia; and others.
The organization is also lending assistance to eight other colon cancer awareness events throughout the country in the month of March. The benefits range from a Zumbathon® fundraiser event in New York, to a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament in St. Louis, and many others.
About the Colon Cancer Coalition / Get Your Rear in Gear
Get Your Rear in Gear® events are presented nationally by the Colon Cancer Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis. The events are 100% volunteer-driven in communities throughout the United States. The Colon Cancer Coalition distributes funds raised at Get Your Rear in Gear events back into local communities for colon cancer education, prevention, and screening. By making the words colon, colorectal and colonoscopy a part of the everyday language, we believe we can overcome the fear and decrease deaths from this largely preventable cancer. A history of the organization, upcoming events, and a list of programs receiving funding from the Colon Cancer Coalition can be found at GetYourRearinGear.com.
The Colon Cancer Coalition / Get Your Rear in Gear logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11862