When I was asked the support the National Race To End Women’s Cancer, I wanted to say no because 5Ks are not my favorite race distance. But when I thought more about the cause it supports, I knew I had to say yes. 
The race supports the mission of the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, which is dedicated to increasing public awareness of gynecologic cancer risk awareness, prevention, early detection and optimal treatment.
According to the Foundation’s main website, a woman is diagnosed with a reproductive cancer every five minutes, and cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers touch more than 98,000 American women each year. As you may know, these types of cancer often are not diagnosed until the disease has reached a late stage, when it is more difficult to treat. As a result, about 30,000 women are expected to die of a gynecological cancer this year. If you, a friend, or family member are affected, the Foundation’s main website has comprehensive information provided by expert oncologists and other healthcare professionals.
My interest in supporting this race goes beyond being a woman with her own lady parts to love. Early in my career as a patent attorney, I was involved with some of the patents that relate to the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) that protects against the types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, 70% of vaginal cancer cases, and up to 50% of vulvar cancer cases. I got to meet with experts in the field and see the early work that led to this breakthrough development. I know that research can pay off and save lives, and I also understand how important risk awareness and education can be.
If you want to support the Foundation’s mission and help put an end to women’s cancer, please donate here.
Now, about that 5K! It will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2015, at Freedom Plaza, in Washington, D.C. (at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue). The race start time is 9:00 am, but the pre-race program begins at 8:15, and includes a survivors tribute and warmup.
My team captain, Ginny Wright of BBG Fitness, has created a 5K training program for beginning and intermediate runners. Ginny is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and wellness coach. You can download her training program here.
Are you ready to love your lady parts? Sign Up Here!
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Do you enjoy the 5k race distance?
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So many great 5ks to support great causes. Last year that distance grew on me. It sucks so bad during the run but it’s quickly over with. At least that’s what I tell myself!
This post is so great Coco, thank you for raising awareness about these deadly, below-the-belt cancers. For anyone who wants to join Ginny’s team along with Coco (and me), the team name is BBG Brigade!
And for fans of RHOBH and Camille Grammer, you can also join Camille’s team, Camille’s Crusaders, and run with her. Camille is a third generation GYN cancer survivor and the National Race Chair. She’ll be there with a big team and welcomes all to join her.
Such an important cause and those numbers are crazy. Thank you for raising awareness about this and for running!
A great cause for sure! I do not enjoy 5ks (ouch!) yet I am most competitive at that distance.
What a great cause! I love it when a race supports a great cause.
I do like doing 5ks sometimes to see what I can capable of. It helps me in seeing how hard I can push myself for a shorter distance.
That’s a good way of thinking of them. I mostly don’t like the time spent vs/ time running ratio!
I hadn’t heard of this one but definitely a great cause! I wish I liked 5k’s more. I just don’t have the speed and I get frustrated and go out too fast.
Wow, so interesting to be involved in the patents of the vaccine. One of my college roomates passed away last year after a battle with uterine cancer, it’s such a scary disease that alludes discovery until it’s too late. Great cause. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, so many of these cancers are hard to detect. Plus I know from experience that women often put off taking care of themselves when they are busy taking care of others.
Great post and great cause. Breast cancer gets so much attention. It is good to see an event raising awareness and funds to a broader range of women’s health issues. Thanks for sharing.
This is awesome! I just did a bike ride for our local cancer hospital. It is so great to be able to raise money for a charity that is so important!
What a great cause. I’m running the 10K Across the Bay that morning, otherwise I would have been there.
The 5K is my least favorite distance, but this is a great cause.
What a great cause and fun way to raise awareness!
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