Community walk, health education fair highlight week’s worth of cancer awareness activities

Members of the media are invited to cover Minority Cancer Awareness Week events. For more information call Helen Goh at 352-273-7658 or email helen.goh@urology.ufl.edu

The University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, the College of Pharmacy and the College of Medicine’s department of urology have partnered with the Gainesville community to kick off National Minority Cancer Awareness Week beginning Saturday, April 16, at the Martin Luther King Center, 1028 NE 14th St. in Gainesville. The fun begins at 9 a.m. with the “Lace Up Against Cancer” one-mile walk, followed at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. by “Dress for Success Outreach” and a community health education fair. Free walking shoes and “Dress for Success” interview clothing will be distributed.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Alachua County. Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly in Alachua County, experience disparities across the cancer control spectrum — including prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and end of life issues. As a result, minority communities bear a disproportionate burden of cancer disease and death, both in Alachua County and nationwide.

The observance from April 16 to April 23 is intended to celebrate the lives of those lost to cancer, embrace the lives of cancer survivors and provide education about prevention and early detection. For a complete list of Minority Cancer Awareness Week activities and locations, visit cancer.ufl.edu or call 352-273-7492.