Hoosiers run for cancer research

After overcoming a life-threatening disease, cancer survivor Marty Myers participated in the fight against cancer by attending the Hoosiers Outrun Cancer fundraiser, hosted by the Bloomington Hospital Olcott Center. \n"I am here today to show people that cancer is nothing to be ashamed of because many people deal with it," she said.\nHundreds of cars piled into the parking lot of IU's Assembly Hall on 17th Street Saturday morning to participate in the fifth annual 5k run. The goal of the event was to raise money for cancer education and to promote awareness of services available. \nWith thousands of entrants, Hoosiers Outrun Cancer had a record-breaking year in the number of participants and the amount of money raised. \nParticipants had their choice of a 5k walk/run, a mile family walk or a mile kids' run around IU's campus. \nRegardless of their choice of activity, each person was there to participate in the fight against cancer.\n"I came to walk today to support my friend here who has cancer," Lola Heaton said of Myers. "I want them to find a cure so bad, and they are getting closer and closer all the time."\nMyers stood next to Heaton waiting for the walk to begin.\n"I had uterine cancer, but thankfully, I am considered a survivor of cancer now." Myers said with a smile. \nAlthough everyone at the walk was there to fight cancer, each participant came for their own personal reason.\n"It is so important for people to get involved and to get the word out that little things like this really add up," Myers said. \nMyers and Heaton's friend, Cindy Wilkenson, had a grandmother who passed away due to brain cancer. Wilkenson was walking in memory of her grandmother's life. \n"I just want people to know that everyone can help, even if you don't think you can," Wilkenson said. "We are getting so close to finding a cure, and with people's help, maybe it will happen faster."\nRegardless of each participant's motive for attending, Hoosiers Outrun Cancer was a successful event. Thirty-six thousand walkers and runners and 200 volunteers came together to raise $140,000 for the Olcott Center's cancer education. "The money is used for services that provide cancer clients, their families and care givers with resources and info to better handle their disease," Event Coordinator Diane Ballard said. "It really speaks well about the people in this community when so many come together to participate in something like this."\nBloomington Hospital Foundation partners with IU athletics to organize the Hoosier Outruns Cancer event.\n"We had so much support from IU students this year, and every year we do this, the support grows," Ballard said.\nPrizes were given to runners and walkers for various events. \nFirst place male and female runners and first place male and female cancer survivors received $100 gift certificates.\nThe participants of the 5k walk/run were divided into 14 groups according to age with the winner from each group receiving a prize. \nFor the kids' run, first-, second- and third-place male and female runners in ages 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 were also given a prize.\n"We work all year on the little details of this event, and it really hits you that day when you get there and realize how important this really is," Ballard said. "Everywhere I went that day, I saw Hoosiers Outrun Cancer T-shirts, and it's great to see so many people being supportive in the community." \n-- Contact staff writer Nellie Summerfield at nsummerf@indiana.edu.