Press Releases

January 20, 2012

Colon Cancer Awareness Month Finishes Strong With the Fourth Annual St. Louis Undy 5000

St. Louis, MO (January 20, 2012) – The Undy 5000 5K to fight colon cancer will return to St. Louis for the fourth consecutive year. It will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31 at Forest Park, starting in the Upper Muny Parking Lot. The St. Louis Undy 5000 will be the last of three races in March, which is also Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Participants are encouraged to run in their underwear as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the area affected by colon cancer.

“Last year, we had a record-breaking 1,393 participants run, which included over 60 colon cancer survivors,” said Todd Setter, National Undy 5000 Event Director. “We know this year will shatter last year’s records, and we hope we have tons more survivors, since that’s what this event is all about, after all - early detection and surviving!”

A portion of the funds raised from the 2012 St. Louis Undy 5000 will be left behind to the Colon Cancer Alliance’s (CCA) Gateway Chapter to help support local colon cancer screening initiatives.

The Undy 5000 will be held in 16 cities across the country this year to educate the public about colon cancer, promote screenings and encourage people to talk about the disease. Instead of raceday T-shirts, all registered participants receive a commemorative pair of Undy 5000 boxers. It is a family-friendly event open to all ages, and in addition to the 5K, there is a 1-mile fun run. The CCA, the nation’s largest and oldest patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colon cancer, hosts the event.

Created by the CCA in 2008, the Undy 5000 stresses the importance of timely colon cancer screenings, early detection, and provides valuable information for those already affected by the disease. Event proceeds help fund the CCA’s patient support and public awareness programs.

Regional sponsors of the 2012 St. Louis Undy 5000 include Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

Boehringer Ingelheim, the maker of Dulcolax®*, is the proud presenting sponsor of the 2012 Undy 5000 races. As the #1 doctor-recommended stimulant for constipation relief, Dulcolax ® reminds everyone over the age of 50 or with a family history of colon cancer, that a colonoscopy can save lives.

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The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a community that provides hope and support to patients and their families, while saving lives through screening, access, awareness, advocacy and research.

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