Elizabeth Smith, whose battle with cancer inspired the 5k run and walk.The “ABCDE of melanoma”
* Asymmetry* Border irregular* Color uneven* Diameter greater than a pencil eraser* Evolution – changing melanoma
When Elizabeth Smith was vacationing with her family at Niagara Falls, her shoulder began to bother her.
When she returned home, she was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma. Surgery removed the cancer, her doctors thought. However 20 years later, the cancer returned and she passed away May 10, 2009 - Mother's Day.
Smith's melanoma diagnosis and story began in 1989, however today skin cancer is the most common cancer and affects men and women of all ages. Melanoma causes the most skin cancer deaths.
To help raise awareness and funds, CHI Memorial Foundation and Volkswagen are presenting the fourth annual Elizabeth's Outrun Melanoma 5k and Walk Saturday, May 7 at the Wolftever Creek Greenway in Collegedale. This is a family-friendly event that can be done as a timed 5k run or a relaxing 1-mile walk.
"This year, the Smith family joined forces with CHI Memorial Foundation to help organize the event as part of a new partnership around Memorial's Melanoma Program," explained Jennifer Nicely, CHI Memorial Foundation president.
Entry fee is $30 for runners and $25 for walkers. Children under age 12 are free. A T-shirt and chance to win door prizes comes with each entry fee of $25 or more.
To register, visit memorial.org/race. Proceeds benefit the Elizabeth R. Smith Melanoma Fund at CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute which supports the prevention, awareness and research of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
Registration and check-in begin at 8 a.m. The run/walk starts at 9 a.m. The course is concrete and mostly flat and fast. Parking is available at Imagination Station playground, 4910 Swinyar Drive.
For more information, call the CHI Memorial Foundation at 495-4438.
To learn more about melanoma risk factors, symptoms and treatment, visit memorial.org/melanoma.