[ad_1]
Paulette Brown Hinds, Ph.D
On Saturday, April 13th, Run 4 Life Colon Cancer AWaReness 5k and the Colon Cancer Coalition partnered to host the inaugural “Get Your Rear in Gear” Temecula 5k Run/Walk at the Maurice Car’rie Vineyard.
The event, organized by 33-year-old Murrietaa resident Kristin Robinson, is her opportunity to bring awareness to colorectal cancer, the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, which disproportionately affects the Black community.
Kristin turned her pain into purpose after losing her father Alonzo Robinson to the disease. Alonzo was an avid runner, husband to wife Korliss, and father to three daughters.
Kristin said her father had not had a colorectal cancer screening, which could have possibly saved his life. In 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowered its colorectal screening recommendation age from 50 to 45. Alonzo was 59. She wants to make sure other families don’t have the same experience, especially because it could be prevented. “It takes 10 years for a polyp to turn cancerous,” proper screenings can catch it before it gets to that point, she explained.
“Alonzo loved to run, he loved to cook, and he loved being a husband,” his sister-in-law Phyllis Williams shared. The Chino resident said she was helping at the 5k run because it celebrated Alonzo’s life and will hopefully bring awareness to the disease. She said her sister Korliss met Alonzo while they were both students at the Claremont Colleges and were married for three decades. Phyllis helped the 150 registered participants check-in for the event.
The only run devoted to raising funds for colon cancer awareness in Riverside County, the “Get Your Rear in Gear” event this year raised almost $10,000 for screenings, awareness and to fund colonoscopies for those who can’t afford to get them.
Kristin believes that fear and lack of awareness keep people from being screened and she hopes the event, which includes information on colon cancer prevention as well as a bespoke giant inflatable colon that participants could walk-through and learn the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.
Besides raising money for educational purposes, Kristin hopes at least 10 people will leave the event and schedule their screenings.
“My dad’s legacy continues to live on through his family. Our goal is to be a voice for those who aren’t here with us today, a voice for the caregivers, and a voice for all those impacted by colon cancer,” Kristin shared.
To learn more about Kristin’s annual event or colon cancer screenings contact her at awrrun4life@gmail.com
[ad_2]
