MD Anderson to conduct 15th annual Sprint for Life event on May 5

Ovarian cancer survivors, their friends and families, local businesses, corporate teams and employees of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will join forces May 5 at the 15th annual Sprint for Life 5K Run/Walk and Sprint for Sprouts Kids' Run. The approximately 3,000 participants will come together for a common cause: to build awareness of ovarian cancer and raise funds for research.

Since 1998, Sprint for Life has raised more than $3.2 million for the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program at MD Anderson. The event was founded by Judith K. Wolf, M.D., former director of the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program, and the late Laura Lee Scurlock Blanton and Sandra G. Davis, for whom the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program is named.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers. This year, about 22,000 women will receive diagnoses of ovarian cancer, and about 15,000 women will die of the disease. There is no screening or early detection test available. Symptoms are subtle, and only 25% of ovarian cancer tumors are detected in the early stages.

"Funding from Sprint for Life enables us to continue desperately needed research to change these dismal numbers and make significant strides in eradicating ovarian cancer," said Anil K. Sood, director of the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program.

Founding families of the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program have accepted the honor of chairing this year's milestone event. Event chairs are Kelli Blanton and Eddy Scurlock Blanton Sr., Lee Davis and Gayle Goodman.

Presenting sponsors are the Sandra G. Davis Family, Gayle Goodman and Ken Adam; HCC Insurance Holdings Inc.; Randalls; the Scurlock Foundation; and the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation.

Race Day will include a survivors' celebration breakfast and reception, Teal-rific Boutique, Kids Zone, post-race party awards presentation and survivor recognition, music, food and beverages.

The race will start and finish on the MD Anderson campus at the intersection of Pressler Street and Bertner Avenue in the Texas Medical Center (TMC). The 5K Run/Walk begins at 7:30 a.m., with Sprint for Sprouts noncompetitive races for children 12 years and younger, Sprouts parade and Tot Trot following at 9:15 a.m.

Online registration is available through May 2, though participants can register 6-7:25 a.m. the day of the race. Visit www.sprintforlife.com for information on the event and how to register.

Early registration fees are:

• $28 for the 5K Competitive Run (includes disposable timing tag)
• $25 for the 5K Noncompetitive Run/Walk and
• $15 for Sprint for Sprouts.

A "Sprinting in Spirit" registration option ($50) enables those who cannot participate in Sprint for Life to show their support nevertheless. Sprinters in Spirit will receive a packet with a T-shirt, pin, shoelaces and race number (if fee received by April 20). Names will appear on a special "Spirit Board" at the race.

Free parking will be available in MD Anderson's Braeswood Garage, at the intersection of Holcombe and Braeswood. Participants also may park in other TMC garages or lots at standard hourly rates or take METRORail to the TMC Transit Center Station (Fannin at Pressler).