CHARLESTON, W.Va.– As runners and walkers prepare for the “Run for Your Life” Saturday morning in downtown Charleston, many will have Chris Stadelman on their minds.
Stadelman was the chief of staff for former Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and passed away in May after a lengthy fight with colorectal cancer. He was very outspoken about early screenings for the disease, and in 2015 he was named as the honorary chairman for “Run for Your Life”.
“We very much want to honor Chris and think of him and dedicate the race to him,” Gail Pitchford, president of the CAMC Foundation, said.
A moment of silence will be held before the race for Stadelman, and a group of his friends will be starting the race off at 8 a.m.
Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It is the third most common cancer in men and in women.
The CAMC Foundation’s “Run for Your Life” five mile run and two and a half mile walk works to benefit colorectal cancer awareness and screening initiatives to help people who cannot afford critical screening procedures.
“Run for Your Life” is held every June in partnership with FestivALL.
The run and walk both begin at Haddad Riverfront Park and takes runners and walkers throughout Charleston. Every year, over 400 participants come out and enjoy a day of exercise, music, refreshments and supporting an important cause.
Though colorectal deaths have somewhat decreased due to more screenings and better cancer treatment, awareness and education on the disease is significant in keeping those numbers down.
“Last year we raised $75,000, and we’re trying to raise that much this year or more,” she said. “It goes to the CAMC Cancer Center, and we work with them to give them the money that is raised, and then they hold educational events, they purchased colonoscopy screening kits and occasionally, if there is a patient that needs the screening and can’t afford it, some of the funds are directed to that.”
Early screening for colorectal cancer is crucial recently a change was made in the age those screenings start.
“American Cancer Society, just this month, lowered the age of your first screening,” said Pitchford. “Instead of being 50, the American Cancer Society now says your first colonoscopy should happen at age 45.”
“Run for Your Life” works to educate people about colorectal cancer, and Pitchford said that though it is one of the most common types of cancer in men and women, it is survivable.
“It is the number one most preventable type of cancer. With early detection it is survivable,” she said. “With the right awareness that you need to get your screenings and get them on time, then it is one of the most preventable types of cancer.”
Runners and walkers can still sign up for the event either from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the CAMC Cancer Center Friday evening or Saturday morning before the race begins at 8.
Story by Jordyn Johnson