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Get ready to run, walk and dance.
When participants of the 21st Annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run on Sunday, Sept. 22, cross the finish line, they will find the campus green at UMass Medical School transformed into a festival of food, fun and hope.
“It’s such an uplifting day that many people have said to us they don’t want it to end at the finish line,” said Beth Whitney, manager of the walk. “We heard them, and this year we’ll keep the celebration going.”
All proceeds from the event support adult and pediatric cancer research and care, and clinical trials of new cancer therapies.
When walkers hit the road this year, food trucks and carts will roll in to serve up lunch and desserts. Local food favorites will include FireFly’s BBQ, Bertucci’s, Shishkaberry and Froze Zone, among others. All participating food vendors will donate 10 percent of their proceeds that day to the UMass Cancer Walk and Run.
The rock band Aquanett, which bills itself as New England’s “most authentic” 1980s tribute band, will belt out big-hair hits from noon until 2. Giant versions of the games Jenga, chess and Connect 4 will be spread around the quad along with the perennial favorite, cornhole.
Everyone who attends the event will be able to participate in the raffle. In years past, the raffle was open only to cancer survivors and the tickets were free. This year, survivors will still participate at no charge, but the raffle will be open to anyone who wants to buy tickets.
“For more than 20 years this event has been a celebration of hope and determination, to fund the research and provide support for the people and families who confront the disease,” said Richard Carr, chair of the event steering committee. “That’s certainly worth a party.”
Since its inception, the UMass Cancer Walk and Run has raised more than $14 million. More than 8,000 people walked or ran last year, and the event won the Worcester Magazine Best of Worcester 2019 Award for a regional fundraising event.
For more information about the event or to register visit https://umasscancerwalk.org/. Also, a new Voices of UMassMed podcast being released on Sept. 9 will focus on the UMass Cancer Walk and Run, in addition to the latest advances in pediatric and adult cancer research.
