From costumed kids portraying their favorite superheroes to work teams united for a common cause, nearly 1,600 runners, walker and volunteers helped generate more than $100,000 toward head and neck cancer education, screening and treatment at a series of spring events sponsored by the nonprofit Partners in Care Foundation.
A record-breaking 429 participants attended the annual Partners in Care 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk in Cape Coral, while nearly 230 participants turned out to the debut event in Winston-Salem, N.C.
New events were also held this year in Miami; Sarasota; Greenville, S.C.; Charleston, W.V.; Redding, California; Winston Salem, N.C.; Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The annual race returned this spring to Deerfield Beach, Florida; Asheville, N.C.; Cape Coral; and the Tri-Cities region of eastern Washington.
“With a dozen spring fun runs benefitting head and neck cancer support in seven states, Partners in Care has made a conscious commitment to expand our footprint in hopes of supporting even more needy families on their cancer journeys,” said Kathy Tolentino, director of the Fort Myers-based, nonprofit foundation.
“We are thrilled at the support from our new communities, in particular Winston-Salem, which drew nearly 245 participants, as well as Charleston and Sarasota, which both attracted more than 125 participants,” Tolentino added. “Combined with the continued commitment from our returning hosts, it’s been a banner few months for head and neck cancer education and support.”
The race series began 11 years ago to bring awareness to head and neck cancers and to raise money for those unable to afford costly recovery therapies that often aren’t covered by insurance, or which require a very high copay.