Virtual Steps to Save Lives 2021 supporting Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN)
Virtual Steps to Save Lives 2021 supporting Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN)
About Virtual Steps to Save Lives 2021
In an age of social distancing, ECAN can't host the series of in-person 5K events we planned.
BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN’T COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT ESOPHAGEAL CANCER!
Our 2021 Steps to Save Lives Virtual 5K Run, Walk or Roll will be a fun and effective way to fight Esophageal Cancer.
Even though we won’t be running on the same course – we will be on the same track:
our efforts will raise awareness and much-needed funding to fuel our quest to reach the day when nobody has to die of Esophageal Cancer!
WHO: Anyone can join – whether you are a runner, jogger, walker, or roller in a chair with wheels. When you register, you’ll have the chance to set up your own fundraising page, with your story and pictures or videos, and all of the support to make your efforts to gain support for the fight against Esophageal Cancer effective. You can even form teams and gather your crew together in this fight! We have prizes for reaching various fundraising milestones and very cool ones for the individual and team that raises the most!
WHAT: You will run, walk, or roll in your chair to cover 5K (or 3.1 miles). Everyone who registers will receive their event t-shirt, racing bib, medal, and goody bag through the mail. We will do our best to get your swag bag to you before April 18th. We only guarantee arrival by that date for those who registered by March 15th.
PLEASE NOTE: We are thrilled by the amazing response to our Steps to Save Lives Virtual 5K! But we were not prepared for such huge enrollment. For that reason, if you register after April 14th, we will do our best but cannot guarantee that you will get the shirt size you request. We do promise that everyone who registers will get a shirt, medal, bib and swag bag. But if you registered after March 15th, we cannot guarantee that they will arrive before the event begins. For those who register after April 18th, it is likely you will receive your bag after the event has concluded.
WHEN: You can cover the distance at any time between Sunday, April 18th at 9 am EST until Sunday, April 25th at 9 am. We will kick off this special week with our online opening ceremonies at 9 am on Sunday, April 18th. For competitive runners, we are using an honor system, so you’ll just enter your time through our online form any time from April 18th – April 25th at 9 am EST. First, second and third place winners will be recognized with medals in both men’s and women’s categories based on age. And the men and women who have the top three times overall will also get special awards. Those winners will be announced during our online closing ceremony at 2 pm on Sunday, April 25th.
WHERE: Any location that is convenient for you!
WHEN: You can cover the distance at any time between Sunday, April 18th at 9 am EST until Sunday, April 25th at 9 am.
WHY: Because you want to end Esophageal Cancer! You will fuel the fight against this devastating disease with your participation. Every dollar you raise will raise awareness of the link between acid reflux and Esophageal Cancer, promote Early Detection to Prevent Cancer before it Starts, fight for increased funding for medical research to find treatments to prevent, detect, treat and cure Esophageal Cancer. You will also provide trustworthy, useful educational programming and support for patients and families at risk for Esophageal Cancer. If you need some tips on how to be successful in your fundraising efforts, we've got them for you right here!
HOW: By taking Steps to Save Lives! For those who may need a little boost to prepare to go the distance, ECAN has partnered with the folks at Couch to 5K to give you the support you may need. We have week-by-week guidance, an online support community, and a even a special playlist to help you reach peak condition to finish the race!
Date
Starts at: April 18, 2021 4:00 AM
Ends at: April 25, 2021 8:00 AM
Location
, USA
Contact
Sally Slingluff
410-358-3226
sally@ecan.org
MEET OLIVIA COLLINS, CHAIR OF STEPS TO SAVE LIVES 2021
A message from our event chair:
Everyone knows cancer exists but no one ever thinks it will happen to them.
As a 17-year-old I very much reflected this way of thinking... until the day my dad told me he had been diagnosed with Stage IV Esophageal Cancer.
My whole world turned upside down. He passed away about six months later in January 2012, missing my high school graduation by a few months. I went on to college and graduated in 2016 without him by my side.
It's been 9 years since he passed and I still think about him every day. I can't attend a wedding without needing to leave during the father/daughter dance. I know that I will never be lucky enough to experience that joy. My brother got married and I gained two beautiful nieces but live with the knowledge that they will never know their grandfather. My sister got engaged and my eldest brother is progressing with his career. They are living a life I know my dad would be proud of. The sad truth about losing someone you love to cancer is that all of your happiness in life is forever tinged with grief.
As I was struggling to find a way to cope with my loss, I found ECAN. I created a birthday fundraiser a couple of years ago and it made me feel like I was doing something to make sure other people never have to experience the grief that I carry with me every day.
I participated in last year's virtual 5K and felt even more empowered to spread the word about ECAN and the importance of the mission to me.
When I was asked to chair this event I immediately accepted because it means so much to me to be able to educate others about Esophageal Cancer and raise money for a future where other little girls never have to say goodbye to their fathers far too soon.
Fighting Esophageal Cancer ~ Saving Lives!
ECAN was created with the primary goal to raise awareness of the risk of Esophageal Cancer posed by persistent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as GERD). ECAN launched the first Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month effort in 2009 and since then, governments, businesses and other organizations throughout the nation have recognized April as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month year after year!
But we know an effective battle with this devastating disease must be fought on several levels. While increased awareness remains a primary focus, working to increase funding for research and educating patients about their options for prevention, early detection, and treatment has become a priority. ECAN has successfully led the charge for millions in additional federal research funding and has become a trusted and reliable source for the latest in medical research affecting those at risk for Esophageal Cancer.
About Esophageal Cancer
Deadly: One 1 out of 5 patients diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in the US will survive 5 years | Esophageal Cancer is the #7 Cancer Killer of Men in the United States | Most is discovered at late stages, when treatment is rarely successful.
Most Often Caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Most EC in the US is Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (74%) caused by Reflux Disease | Esophageal Adenocarcinoma increased 700% over the past 35 years in the U.S. | Esophageal Adenocarcinoma is the fastest increasing cancer among American men | Squamous Cell Carcinoma which is usually linked to smoking or drinking causes 26%.
Preventable: Barrett’s Esophagus is the only known precursor to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma | Barrett’s Esophagus is caused by GERD, but the condition itself causes no symptoms | Barrett’s Esophagus can be treated and eliminated, thereby preventing progression to Esophageal Cancer | More than a Million Americans Estimated to be Unaware they Have Barrett’s Esophagus.
Largely Ignored: Lack of Awareness - Only 14% of Americans know that GERD can lead to cancer | Lack of Screening - No Esophageal Cancer screening protocol in the U.S. | Lack of Research Funding - Esophageal Cancer causes 2.6% of US cancer deaths, but receives just .5% of the Federal Cancer Research Budget.