'Get Your Rear in Gear' with Elgin 5K/Walk Sunday

The community is invited to run or walk for colon cancer prevention and screenings at the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk in Elgin, at 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at Fitchie Creek Park Preserve, 39W993 Russell Road in Elgin.

Now in its fourth year this event brings people together to fight the nation's No. 2 cancer killer. The day will include a celebration of survivors, support for caregivers, and honor those who have lost their fight to this disease.

"Advocate Sherman Hospital, as one of the sponsors, is committed to educating the community about colon cancer prevention," said Mary Gleason, one of the organizers and an oncology nurse navigator at Advocate Sherman Hospital, "We hope our involvement encourages people to get their screening colonoscopies at age 50 or earlier."

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.

Besides Advocate Sherman other area and national sponsors have contributed to pre-events and the Get Your Rear in Gear race: Polymedco, Genetech, Elgin Hyundai, Urology Limited, Hyman Consulting, Rookies, Domino's Pizza, Charlie Foxes, and Chiro One.

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

On Sunday, Aug. 20, Get Your Rear in Gear-Elgin activities will begin at 7 a.m. with the 5K timed run starting at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K walk.

Registration and further information is available online at ColonCancerCoalition.org/Elgin.