Taryn Ashby
The second annual Sandy Sprint 5K Run/Walk Gainesville is scheduled to return on March 25.
The cancer fundraiser will take place from 9:30- 11 a.m. at Prancing Horse Farm (28515 NW 46th Ave).
“Last year we had about 120 walkers, which was amazing for our first walk in Gainesville,” said Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation organizer for Gainesville, Dr. Samantha Bacchus, in a phone interview. “This year, we hope to get around 200 runners, especially since we are featuring a story-sharing moment after the walk that I think will be special for all participants.”
The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation (SROCF) will host the event to spread the word about its mission and raise money to help advance ovarian cancer research.
After the walk, an Ovarian Cancer Storytelling Event will be hosted by GSK as part of their Our Way Forward program and The Moth. Our Way Forward is a call to action that encourages people living with gynecologic cancers, such as ovarian and endometrial cancer, their loved ones, and healthcare providers to rethink how they talk about these cancers. Every registered walker can enter the storytelling portion of the morning for free.
“I think education is essential, and that’s what this event is all about,” Bacchus said. “It is a great opportunity to educate and empower women to own their bodies and advocate for themselves.”
Sandy Rollman was 32 years old when she lost her life to ovarian cancer in 2000. Her sister, Adriana Way, and her oncology nurse, Robin Cohen, started the SROCF in Sandy’s memory over 20 years ago to help prevent other women from going through what Sandy did.
According to the SROCF website, its mission is to “fight for those who are fighting, speak for those who have fallen silent, and provide for those working towards the end of ovarian cancer.”
Registration for the event is open until Thursday, March 23, at noon.
To register for the run/walk, visit the SROCF website, and solidify a spot for the GSK Storytelling Event here.
The registration fees are $30 for adults, $25 for children under 12, and $35 for virtual participants.
The schedule or event is as follows:
- 7 a.m. – Sponsor and vendor setup
- 8 a.m. – Registration begins
- 9 a.m. – Speakers, National Anthem, and Survivor Photo
- 9:30 a.m. – 5K run/walk begins; GSK Storytelling Event to follow
Thank you so much! Only thing I would change is director to organiser. But overall awesome. 💙💙💙💙