Scope it Out 5K
Run/Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness

Every four minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The second most frequent cause of cancer death, colorectal cancer affects men and women equally and is easily detectable.

Join Lombardi and the Charles A. Kraenzle Colon Cancer Foundation on Sunday, March 30, 2008 for the Fourth Annual Scope It Out 5K Run/Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness. Held in West Potomac Park in Washington, DC, the race will begin at 8 a.m.

John Marshall, MD, chief of the division of hematology/oncology at Lombardi and internationally-known colorectal cancer expert, will join participants in the race and deliver the keynote lecture. The race will also feature emcee Chris Mathieu, warmup by Fitness Image Results, and the Super Colon courtesy of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

Founded in 2004, Scope It Out 5K is held in tribute to Charles A. Kraenzle, who lost his battle with colon cancer in 2002. His love of sports and will to live inspired his family to raise awareness and fund research through the annual race. Already, Scope It Out 5K has raised over $185,000.

Colon cancer affects women and men equally as well as people of all ethnic backgrounds. The most common symptom of colon cancer is no symptom at all. Please talk to your doctor about getting a colonoscopy at age 50, or earlier with a family history. The earlier the cancer is caught, the more curable it is.

Charles did not have a history of colon cancer in his family. Those who have a family history of colon cancer are at higher risk and should get a colonoscopy as early as ten years before the family member developed cancer. 

For 2008, the honorary co-chairs are Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-District of Columbia), Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Maryland), and Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania).

"I cannot help but express my frustration when I have a patient who is 63 years old and now have a Stage II or Stage III colorectal cancer, when in fact, if they had gotten their colonoscopy at age 50, they would never have been in my office in the first place," said Dr. Marshall.

To learn more, or to register, donate, volunteer, or sponsor visit http://www.scopeitout5k.com/.