Walking/Running Billboard to Raise Awareness

mp327
mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Hi Everyone--

Yesterday, I participated in the 2010 Peachtree Road Race 10K in Atlanta. I took advantage of the fact that I was going to be surrounded by 55,000 people and turned myself into a living, breathing billboard about Anal Cancer. I have added a pic taken of me prior to the race. The front of my shirt says "Anal Cancer is a Real Pain in the Butt." The back of it said "I run in Memory of Tony, Farrah, Kathy, Cooper and in Honor of All Anal Cancer Survivors and Warriors--2010 Estimates are 5260 New Cases and 720 Deaths--This Disease Kills!--Anal Cancer is a Real Pain in the Butt!

I got lots of looks and hopefully got people thinking about this disease. I had several people come up to me and give me high fives for my efforts at raising awareness of anal cancer. I really think this is the only way that our disease is going to get the attention it deserves. Granted, the numbers are low when compared with other diseases. But when it happens to you or someone you love, numbers just don't matter.

Comments

  • pjjenkins
    pjjenkins Member Posts: 173
    #2
    Totally awesome!
    What a wonderful idea and great representative for us! Would that I could undertake a 10K race! I am going to have to stick to 50 yard/meter swim events. ;)

    I was at a 5K Fun Run yesterday representing a local candidate who works hard to promote healthy activities and health care in general. I could have been wearing something like "Cancer Survivor - Ask Me" or in some way letting people know that while cancer is a dread disease, life is worthwhile after the diagnosis!
  • lisa09
    lisa09 Member Posts: 32
    #3
    Congratulations to
    Congratulations to you!!

    Lisa
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #4
    Awesome!
    I am so glad you ran and did this supporting our particular cancer. I believe there just isn't enough 'knowledge' about it out there...and there should be. I'm sure it makes some people uncomfortable to even discuss this issue and that is sad. I have been getting a lot of emails and such from co-workers and friends who are just finding out about mine and when they ask what I have I tell them the truth. Some look at me funny and others ask questions. One gal was having hemi problems and literally ran to have a colonoscopy and had her hemi's removed. She was ignoring this for a long time and I guess my diagnosis scared her. I felt I at least got one person aware. Just because the numbers are low does not mean that it isn't something people should be aware of. Kudos to you for running and bringing out this awareness!
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    #5
    YOU are AWESOME
    YOU are AWESOME MARTHA!!!

    Thanks again for "representing" all of us!!!!

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