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The Alaska Prostate Cancer Coalition hopes to see thousands join them Saturday morning in running and walking in support of Alaskans battling prostate and testicular cancer, during their signature fund raising event, The Alaska Men’s Run.
“I’d like to see about 10,000 men woman and children coming through the starting line,” says state Prostate Cancer Coalition President Les Day.
The Alaska Men's Run is open to men, women and children, who can choose to either run five miles or walk two miles. The coalition eventually uses entry fee money to help prostate and testicular cancer patients pay for their medical bills, and support community education.
“Money that's donated and raised in Alaska stays in Alaska for Alaska men,” Day says.
One project Alaska Men’s Run funding supports is the Alaska Men’s Retreat. Started as a pilot program in 2009, the Alaska Men's Retreat gives survivors a place to come and heal every year in Copper Landing’s natural setting.
Attendee Cal Williams, who was diagnosed in 2011, says the program made a distinct difference in his recovery.
“Being out there in that environment, fishing and camping and talking with the men at night…and hearing their stories, some having a more progressive condition than mine, they gave me a feeling that I’m certainly not that bad at all,” Williams says.
“Unlike women who are more vocal and seem to share ideas, share the burden, men try to compartmentalize and internalize,” Day says. "So we try to provide opportunities for men to come together with other men where they can discuss their situation with other men going through the same process."
The Alaska Men's Run kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. at the anchorage football stadium. Early registration is $35, and registration at the race is $45.
Click here for a link to the Alaska Men’s Run webpage.
Editors Note: Channel 2’s Matthew Simon sits on the Alaska Men’s Run board of directors and is an Alaska Men’s Retreat staff member.