CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston Area Medical Center Foundation’s Run for Your Life Run/Walk kicks off Saturday at Haddad Riverfront Park in the Capital City.
The 5K run and 2.5 mile walk is to support colorectal cancer screening and awareness in West Virginia.
Erin Magee, the race’s honorary chair and Stage 3 colon cancer survivor, said she can’t wait to participate this year.
“I won’t be running it this year, but I will be walking it and I hope everybody can take the time to come out Saturday morning,” she said of the race that begins at 8 a.m.
Magee was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 48. She said it’s so important to get a colonoscopy so that others can avoid what happened to her.
“I don’t want anyone to go through what I had to do at age 48,” she said. “I was even within the testing protocols, the screening protocols, so the earlier we catch it, the easier it is to treat it and the better the prognosis.” Those who got diagnosed with colon cancer should look into the available colon cancer treatment options carefully and ask the professional opinion of your doctor.
Magee had a tumor, a portion of her liver and the foot of her colon removed. “I’m very lucky and very blessed,” she said.
Saturday’s event will coincide with the second day of the Capital City’s 12-day FestivALL downtown.
The race gets done when the Smoke on the Water Chili Cook Off starts in Charleston, Magee said.
“They’ll be starting the chili by the time that we’re doing with the race, so you can stick around downtown Charleston that day. It’s also the wiener dog race that benefits the animal shelter, so it’s a great day to be downtown Charleston,” she said.
To pre-register, visit tristateracer.com.
After pre-registering, packets can be picked up Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at CAMC Cancer Center parking lot on MacCorkle Avenue or Saturday at Haddad Riverfront Park from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.