Lauren Weber

September 30th marked the 13th annual lung cancer walk at the Philadelphia Zoo. GO2 hosts a 5K walk/run every year to raise money for lung cancer research, awareness, and life-saving patient support services. This year’s event raised $27,824, with more than ten teams participating.

According to their website, GO2 was founded by 1995 by patients who are dedicated to increasing the survival rate for those who are diagnosed with lung cancer. On GO2’s website, there are resources, information on treatment options, and other educational material regarding lung cancer. 

While at the zoo, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jessica Bauman, who is an oncologist doctor at Fox Chase Cancer Center and one of the event chairs. She said, “This is my ninth year doing the event, and every year I do this, I realize how important events like this are and how they serve the community and the organizations involved.” 

I attended the event in support of my mother, who just last year was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since her diagnosis, my family and I have attended cancer events and seminars. There is no doubt that cancer affects not only families, but communities as well, and as Dr. Bauman stated, raising cancer awareness helps to show support for those who are fighting the disease. In addition, events like this facilitate the discovery of new drugs that can fight cancer and lead doctors and researcher to a cure. 

If you want to learn more about upcoming cancer-related events, if you want to get involved in some way, or if you know someone who is fighting cancer, there are more events in Philadelphia this fall. Some of them include:

Paint the Trail Purple- Saturday, October 7, the Pancreatic Cancer Cure Foundation is hosting a family and pet friendly event where people can bike, walk, or run along the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken. Registration starts at 8:30 A.M. You can donate to this event or if you want to do more you can volunteer. 

Alex’s Lemonade Stand End Childhood Cancer Walk/Run- October 28 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. This event starts at 8 A.M. You can donate to this cause here or volunteer if you chose. 

Together Facing Breast Cancer- Tuesday, October 17 5: 30P.M.- 8P.M. This is a free educational workshop for patients and caregivers. This is a panel where Fox Chase clinicians and researchers discuss treatment options for breast cancer patients. This event will include a dinner and vendor fair and will take place at the Fox Chase Cancer Center Cafeteria in the main building. 

These are just one of many cancer-related events occurring in Philadelphia. There is more information available from Penn Medicine and Fox Chase’s websites.