Father's Day Walk/Run Celebrates Prostate Cancer Survival

More than 900 walkers, runners and cancer survivors and their loved ones expected to attend third-annual event

PITTSBURGH, June 10 – Former Pittsburgh Steeler Robin Cole will join local walkers, runners and prostate cancer survivors and their families and friends at this year’s Us TOO Father’s Day 5/10K on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19 at the North Shore Riverfront Park near Heinz Field. A prostate cancer survivor, along with four of his eight brothers, Cole hopes this year’s race will encourage more men to get screened for prostate cancer and help make Father’s Day in Pittsburgh a day-long celebration of men’s health.

“Prostate cancer strikes as many men as breast cancer does women, and yet, we have a long way to go in getting the message out to men that this is a survivable disease when it is detected early,” said Cole. “This celebration and run is an important step forward and will help us save lives throughout the Pittsburgh area.”

The Father’s Day Walk/Run will raise money for the Pittsburgh Region’s Us TOO prostate cancer education and support group. The money raised will help Us TOO in its mission to promote prostate cancer awareness, get more men screened and provide support for prostate cancer patients. The American Cancer Society estimates that prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 13,150 men in Pennsylvania by the end of 2005 and cause approximately 1,720 deaths.

“Prostate cancer is a common disease that causes great anxiety and suffering among men and their families,” said Joel Nelson, MD, professor and chairman, department of urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “The work of Us TOO in raising awareness and increasing knowledge about prostate cancer is vital if we are to change disease outcomes.”

“Prostate cancer is 100 percent survivable if detected early,” said Jerry Livingston, founder and director of the Father’s Day Walk/Run and prostate cancer survivor. “Even so, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men.”

Jerry Bortman, regional director, Us TOO Pittsburgh Area, added that it is especially important for African American men to get screened since they are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men.

In addition to Cole, University of Pittsburgh Panthers coach Dave Wannstadt will be in attendance along with WTAE’s Mike Clark, who will act as master of ceremonies. Several students from Westinghouse High School will be in attendance to facilitate the walkers and runners and to lend their support. A special focus at the celebration and run will be on outreach to African American men.

The Walk/Run will begin at 7:45 a.m. with a 1-mile Faith & Health Walk co-sponsored by the Clergy and Churches United. The 10k run will start at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5k walk/run at 8:40 a.m. The last event, a 1-mile fun walk, will take place at 9:30 a.m. An awards ceremony will be held directly following the races and other post-race activities including a barbecue and a father son/daughter look alike contest. Discounts for the Carnegie Science Center, the National Aviary and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum also will be available. Cost for participation is $20, which covers race pre-registration, an event t-shirt and all other activities.

For additional information about the run and to register, visit www.fathersday5k.com or call (412) 572-6830. Reporters who would like to profile runners/prostate cancer survivors, should contact Clare Collins at the UPMC News Bureau at (412) 586-9778.