Update
More than 200 runners, walkers, and volunteers, gathered at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary to show their support for sarcoma survivors at the 15th Annual Strikeout for Sarcoma 5K & Family Fun Run/Walk. In addition to a special survivor walk, participants at the grassroots event enjoyed music, food, a Zumba warm-up, a yoga cool-down, a kid's dash, a bounce house, and cornhole games.
“We are all on a journey. Who knew that a small lump I discovered would lead to my sarcoma story? I am so glad to be here with you today," said Marcy McKaig, a sarcoma survivor treated at Duke who was invited to share her cancer story with attendees.
Collectively, through a silent auction, sponsorships, donations, and race entry fees, the homegrown family-friendly event raised over $25,000 for sarcoma research at Duke Cancer Institute.
Each year, 10,000 patients, including children and adults, are diagnosed with all types of sarcomas, which may involve bone or soft tissue in any body area. Sarcoma is one of the more common types of cancer that affects children. In fact, about 20% of sarcoma patients treated at Duke are children, according to Brian E. Brigman, MD, PhD, director of the Duke Sarcoma Center at DCI and professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics.
Brigman was joined by many of his DCI colleagues who volunteered and/or ran the 5K, including fellow surgical oncologists and Surgery faculty Trey Blazer, MD, Will Eward, DVM, MD, Frank H. Bassett III, MD, Laura Rosenberger, MD, and Julia Visgauss, MD, as well as DCI faculty from other departments, including Nicole Larrier, MD (Radiation Oncology) and David Van Mater, MD (Pediatrics and Hematology-Oncology).
