Step Out And Step Up The Fight Vs Ovarian Cancer
By: Julie Poucher Harbin, Senior Writer, DCI
The 17th annual Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk & 5K Run, this year presented by by Dunkin' Donuts and WTVD-Channel 11, will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 at Sanderson High School, located at 5500 Dixon Drive in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The event has been held each year since 2002 to honor the memory of Gail Parkins, who passed away at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with ovarian epthelial cancer.
Organized by Parkins' daughter Melanie Bacheler, event participants have raised more than $3.5 million for ovarian cancer research at Duke, including for studies on the impact of ovarian cancer treatment on quality of life and investigations into how genetic alterations impact disease progression and might suggest potential new therapies. This year's goal is to raise $350,000.
The competitive 5K run registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and the run starts at 8:30 a.m. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome but must start behind other runners. Dogs are not allowed on the run.
Walk registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Strollers, wheelchairs, and dogs are welcome to participate in the walk. Survivor recognition, team awards, and the check presentation will commence at 11 a.m.
All are invited to form, join or support a team or register as an individual participant. Advance registration is $40. One, five or ten teal balloons can also be purchased in advance in memory, celebration or honor of a special loved one.
Participants are also invited to bring memoirs, on event day, to display on the "Wall of Honor," a celebration of life and love. To submit your honoree's story on the event website, e-mail Melanie Bacheler.
For more information about the event and to register visit Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk and 5K Run and like the Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk and 5K Run Facebook page.
