The Race is On to Increase Colorectal Cancer Awareness in Washington, D.C. District has Highest Rate of Colorectal Cancer Deaths for Men and Women in United States*

The first annual Scope It Out 5K Run/Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness will be held on March 19, 2005 at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. The Charles A. Kraenzle Colon Cancer Foundation, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, expects more than 500 participants to compete in its inaugural event held during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women in the United States. Yet if detected early, the five-year survival rate for men and women with colon cancer is greater than ninety percent. The earlier the cancer is caught, the more curable it is. Colon cancer affects women, men, and people of all ethnic backgrounds equally.

"As many as eighty percent of the 150,000 annual cases of colon cancer could be prevented if only the colonoscopy were as commonly utilized as the mammogram and Pap smear," said Dr. John Marshall, director of developmental therapeutics and GI oncology and associate professor of oncology at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Marshall is an authority in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies.

Colon cancer often has no symptoms, and only ten percent of the cases are hereditary, which is why screening is so important. Although colorectal cancer can strike at any age, more than 9 in 10 new cases are in people ages 50 or older.

Race Director Charlotte Kraenzle knows the impact that colon cancer can have on a family. She lost her father, Charles A. Kraenzle, to the disease on August 14, 2002, at the age of 61, after a marathon battle with the illness. Charles had no symptoms until a tumor blocked most of his colon and caused him pain; his Stage IV diagnosis meant the cancer had already metastasized to his liver.

"I am particularly grateful to our premier sponsors Clark Realty and Comcast for helping in this effort to raise colon cancer awareness," said Kraenzle. "This race is in memory of my father, who loved sports and had a tremendous love of life."

The Scope It Out 5K Run/Walk participants will receive Buddy Bracelets, similar to the Lance Armstrong "Live Strong" bands--except Cornflower Blue--the designated color for colorectal cancer. Net race proceeds donated to the Charles A. Kraenzle Colon Cancer Foundation will be given to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, and National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance for colon cancer research and further colon cancer awareness work.

Start time is 8:00 a.m. sharp and race participants can pick up their packets as early as 7:00 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the following amounts: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. Other prizes will be given to top finishers in the following age groups: 19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35- 39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 & over. The post-race awards ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m.

To register for the race or get more information, visit the race Web site or e-mail info@scopeitout5k.com.

U.S. Cancer Statistics: 2001 Incidence and Mortality includes quality-assured incidence data from 43 states, six metropolitan areas, and the District of Columbia, covering 92 percent of the U.S. population. The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/cancer and www.seer.cancer.gov/statistics.

The Charles A. Kraenzle Colon Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization formed to increase awareness of, encourage early detection of, and support research efforts in fighting colon cancer. The organization is exempt from federal income tax under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month began when the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable joined forces to bring critical messages about colorectal cancer to the American people. These founding partners have joined with 51 collaborating partners to educate about colorectal cancer year-round, focusing their energies and resources on the annual awareness campaign that takes place each March. All across the nation, organizations sponsor activities to bring the public information about colorectal cancer.

For more information contact: Charlotte Kraenzle 703-408-0614