5th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run

The 5th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run will be held on Saturday, June 18th, at Warwick City Park in Warwick, Rhode Island at 10 AM.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a Rhode Island nonprofit, is hosting the event, which aims to spread awareness of esophageal cancer while raising money for advocacy and esophageal research funding. Periwinkle sponsors for the 5th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run are North Atlantic Constructors, Inc. and General Dynamics/Electric Boat.

The cost to participate is $20 in advance or $25 the day of; children 12 and under and dogs are admitted free! T-shirts are available only for pre-registered guests who have registered by Friday, May 27th, 2016. Guests may sign up individually or as a team. To register or for more information, please visit: http://salgiwalkrun2016.eventbrite.com. Those who are unable to attend the event but would still like to make a donation may visit: www.SALGI.org/donate.

Guests and supporters may also create a personalized online fundraising page to help make an even bigger impact. Registration is not required to create a fundraising page. Please visit: www.Crowdrise.com/EsophagealCancer2016 for more information.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded its first-ever grant to esophageal cancer research in July. The foundation hopes to continue to fund research in the coming years.

About Esophageal Cancer: Acid reflux disease, of which its most common symptom is chronic heartburn, is one of the primary risk factors associated with esophageal cancer. Other risk factors include obesity, poor nutrition, tobacco use and excessive alcohol use. Esophageal cancer is among the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States. With over a 600% increase in the past decades, the overall five-year survival rate is only 18.4%.

There are no standard or routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earlier stages. Symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, typically appear once the cancer has become advanced. Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer receives very little awareness and research funding.

The estimates for esophageal cancer in the United States for 2016 are about 16,910 new esophageal cancer cases diagnosed and about 15,690 deaths from esophageal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation: Established in Rhode Island on November 21, 2011, in order to raise awareness, encourage early detection and fund research in hopes of a cure of esophageal cancer; The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization, as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, please visit: www.salgi.org