ALLENTOWN, Pa., June 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, June 13, 2015, the Colon Cancer Coalition will host the inaugural Tour de Tush™, presented by Olympus. This 30-mile and Metric Century (62 miles) bike ride for colon cancer awareness will tour the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Kutztown, and Lenhartsville. Over 200 people are expected to participate and this first-year event is expected to raise over $25,000. Funds raised will be invested back into the local community to increase screening rates for colorectal cancer.
Tour de Tush is the first bike ride produced by the Colon Cancer Coalition, who have seen great success with the Get Your Rear in Gear® run/walk event series. Like Get Your Rear in Gear, Tour de Tush is planned by a local volunteer with help from the Coalition, in this case that volunteer is Gale Fritsche.
Fritsche is a stage III colon cancer survivor, diagnosed in April 2014. He decided he wanted to do something to raise awareness that was outside the normal run/walk event. As an avid cyclist, a bike ride seemed like a great alternative. "I was a competitive athlete up until my diagnosis," Fritsche recalled. "I wanted to bring a bike ride to my community because it is something I enjoyed participating in and it will reach other audiences than the traditional run/walk event."
"When Gale came to us with the idea of a long-distance bike ride we were excited to say, 'Yes, anything is possible!'" says Anne Carlson, executive director for the Colon Cancer Coalition. "We have a successful formula in place with the Get Your Rear in Gear run/walk series, and we are excited about taking that model into the biking world. We know that one in 20 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime, but the disease can be prevented through screening. We look forward to the opportunity of diversifying our events and reaching new audiences with the important message of colon cancer screening."
On Saturday, June 13, the Tour de Tush bike ride will begin at 8 a.m. at Grange Park in Allentown, Penn. The day includes a DJ, free food and gifts for participants. The first 200 registrants will receive an event t-shirt. All finishers at both distances will receive a finisher's medal. The 30 mile ride will feature one rest stop in Kutztown, the Metric Century ride will continue with a stop in Lenhartsville. Registration information and route maps can be found online at ColonCancerCoalition.org/TourdeTush.
If you would like more information about bringing a Tour de Tush bike ride or Get Your Rear in Gear run/walk to your community visit ColonCancerCoalition.org/GetStarted.
About the Colon Cancer Coalition
The Colon Cancer Coalition is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging screening for colon cancer. The organization's signature Get Your Rear in Gear®, and now Tour de Tush™, events are 100% volunteer-driven in communities throughout the United States. 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. For more information visit ColonCancerCoalition.org.
About Olympus (Presenting Sponsor)
Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in its core business areas of Medical and Surgical Products, Scientific Solutions, and Cameras and Audio Products. As the global leader in endoscopy and the medical devices used to help detect, diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases – including colon cancer – Olympus firmly believes that it is our responsibility to help educate people on the facts, encourage screening and colonoscopy, and help lead the charge in fighting this cancer.
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