Get Your Rear in Gear and register for 5K Run/Walk Aug. 21

The community is invited to raise awareness and funds for colon cancer prevention and screenings at the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, Aug. 21, at Prairie View Grade School, 10N630 Nesler Road in Elgin.

Now in its third year and presented by Advocate Sherman Hospital, the event brings more than 500 people together to fight the nation's No. 2 cancer killer. The day will include a celebration of survivors, support for caregivers and those who lost their fight to this disease.

"Advocate Sherman Hospital is committed to educating the community about colon cancer prevention," said Dr. Savitha Susarla, family medicine physician and Get Your Rear in Gear participant.

"We hope our involvement encourages people to get their screening colonoscopies beginning at age 50, or earlier for those with a family history or other risk factors."

Get Your Rear in Gear events are produced and coordinated by the Colon Cancer Coalition, a national organization that hosts nearly 50 run/walk events across the country to educate and raise funds for colon cancer screening and prevention.

"We know how to detect and prevent colon cancer when it is discovered in its earliest and most treatable stages," says Anne Carlson, executive director for the Colon Cancer Coalition. "By placing our focus on funding programs that work to increase screening rates and educating the public about the signs and symptoms, we look to prevent this disease before it happens."

Money from previous Get Your Rear in Gear-Elgin events have funded free colonoscopies, fecal occult blood testing and educational events and programming at Advocate Sherman Hospital.

Activities will begin at 7 a.m. with the 5K timed run starting at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K walk. Registration and information is available online at Colon CancerCoalition.org/Elgin.