In September, the Colon Cancer Alliance held the first-ever Undy 5000, a 5k run/walk event designed to create conversation about colorectal cancer. This past weekend we had the second event, in Dallas, and we have Phoenix coming up on the 15th.
The Dallas crowd truly got into the underwear theme:
--two young, buff men in shiny boxers and no shirts, the words "Protect your Butt" written on their bare backs, running in memory of an aunt who died;
--a woman with a fake bare bottom hanging out from a hospital gown, showing the world the importance of screening;
--a dog wearing a pair of boxer shorts.
You get the picture. It was fun, and funny. But also quite serious.
The top fundraiser for the event is a man whose wife has rectal cancer. They have two young children, aged 1 and 3, and she was about a month pregnant when she was diagnosed.
The top fundraising team participated to support a young woman in her 20's who has Stage IV colon cancer.
So we laughed. And cried. Sometimes both at the same time. And I watched as something magically wonderful happened. People came together in hope and commitment, giving of themselves in the fight against this disease. Our staff worked tirelessly and cheerfully. Dozens of volunteers showed up before sunrise to help make it all work. And hundreds of participants joined in to celebrate this remarkable event.
Sometimes I think about my job, and I realize I am the luckiest person in the world.
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