DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - Mar 15, 2013) - The Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA) will host the 4th Annual Jodi's Race for Awareness Saturday, June 1, 2013 in Denver's City Park, Colorado Boulevard and 23rd Street. All money raised during this popular community event remains here in Colorado and funds numerous COCA programs, including Nicki's Circle support groups, the Nicki's Circle online network, the COCA Cares financial assistance program, comfort kits, Survivors Teaching Students, the Raise Awareness campaign and health fairs, that support women with ovarian cancer in the Centennial State.
Registration for the 2013 Jodi's Race for Awareness, which includes a 5k Run/Walk and a 1Mile Family Walk, is underway online at www.jodisrace.com. All runners and walkers are encouraged to increase the impact of their participation by forming teams with their family, friends and coworkers. Great prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers.
The first Race for Awareness, in June 2010, was the inspiration of Colorado native Jodi Brammeier, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008. Brammeier believed she would have discovered the cancer earlier if she had been more aware of the signs and symptoms. It became her goal to establish a race to raise awareness about ovarian cancer so that other women might find their cancer earlier and stand a chance to win against the deadly disease. Unfortunately, Brammeier lost her battle with ovarian cancer August 3, 2010, less than two months after the inaugural event; however, her memory lives on in the annual COCA fundraiser.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in females in the United States but it is the deadliest gynecologic cancer; every 40 hours one woman in Colorado dies from ovarian cancer. There is no screening test for ovarian cancer so being able to recognize the symptoms, leading to early detection, is critical to saving lives. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include suddenly-occurring and persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary urgency or frequency. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and may not be specific or severe so often women do not seek medical attention and health professionals fail to diagnose it early. If found in an early stage, up to 90 percent of the women diagnosed will survive for more than five years; unfortunately, 75 percent of diagnosed cases present in stage III/IV, when the disease has already spread beyond the ovaries.
About the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA):
The mission of the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance is to support women in Colorado dealing with ovarian cancer, and promote increased awareness about ovarian cancer through advocacy and education.
- To create awareness regarding early warning signs that may be indicative of ovarian cancer.
- To create and promote resources for support, networking and education for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in order to help them in their battle.
- To unite and educate individuals, the medical community and organizations to overcome ovarian cancer.
- To advance ovarian cancer research toward a better treatment, diagnosis and a cure.
To learn more about COCA and its programs, visit www.colo-ovariancancer.org.
