4th Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk Returns to Cleveland During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

This Sunday, August 30th, join ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer and SouthWest Urology in Middleburg Heights to help save lives and keep families together at the Fourth Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Cleveland. The 5K run/walk is just in time for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month - which begins September 1st - and is a part of ZERO’s annual Run/Walk series, which raises awareness and funds to end prostate cancer. This year, ZERO will bring the series to nearly 40 cities nationwide, nearly 20 of those races being held in September for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month! Prostate Cancer Awareness Month brings a national spotlight to prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death among men.

“The more the words ‘prostate cancer’ are said out loud, the more men who will take it as seriously as they should. The more you hear a word, the more it will hit home, and this is something I learned only after I was diagnosed at a young age. I was ‘too busy’ working to get checked, and I don’t want other men to make the same mistake,” said Charles Martin, local prostate cancer survivor. “An event like the Run/Walk is about more than raising money. It is also about raising awareness, about making sure men like my son understand that it is important to be aware that they should discuss their risk with their doctor, because prostate cancer does exist, and could happen to them too.”

Charles, a local resident and return participant in the Run/Walk, was diagnosed with prostate cancer 20 years ago, at the age of 49. Following surgery, radiation, and frequent PSA checks, Charles discovered his cancer had spread and still continues treatment. He continues his fight against prostate cancer and attends events like the Run/Walk to help raise awareness for the disease he’s been fighting for two decades. He believes that talking openly about his cancer and his experiences is vital, and that this event will hopefully motivate men at risk to get checked. He hopes that it will allow men over 40 to stop and realize that they should be aware of the possibility of prostate cancer – he knows that he has been blessed to still be fighting the disease this long, but others do not always have that same experience. The Run/Walk series brings our passion for making prostate cancer a national priority to local communities, encouraging those who wish to have a voice to raise awareness and speak out about the disease.

“Our family-friendly Run/Walk series invites survivors, patients, caregivers, families, and businesses to come together as a community to create Generation ZERO – the first generation of men free from prostate cancer,” ZERO CEO Jamie Bearse said. “This series is a great opportunity to take action and raise both awareness and funds to end a disease that affects one in seven fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, grandfathers, partners, and friends.”

In 2014 we added two exciting programs to the Run/Walk series, including the Kids Superhero Dash for Dad. Kids ages nine and under can take part in the Dash, where they will participate on race day in a short dash and at the finish line receive superhero capes! Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero to remind their heroes – Dad, Grandpa and other male role models – to take charge and remain invested in their health. Also back for the second year is the Snooze For Dudes program for those who are unable to participate on race day but would still like to help end prostate cancer by raising awareness and funds.

For more information, visit www.zeroprostatecancerrun.org/cleveland.