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The Get Your Rear in Gear-Bristol 5K for colorectal cancer holds its inaugural event on Saturday, March 9, at Steele Creek Park. Local Event Director, Christina Moody-Lawson, is a colon cancer survivor and is hoping to bring awareness to and prevent colon cancer deaths right here in the Tri-Cities.
Survivors, patients, caregivers, runners, walkers, and volunteers will come together for the morning in celebration and solidarity. Get Your Rear in Gear also offers music, snacks, a giant inflatable colon, as well as a timed 5K and untimed walk.
Lawson got involved with colorectal cancer awareness after she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer two years ago at age 35. “I honestly didn’t know what to do or where to start,” shares Christina about her journey with colorectal cancer. “Within a month of diagnosis, I had a colon recession. Fortunately, because I had access to preventative care, I was able to catch my cancer early. It was stage 1. If I had not had access to care, I may not be here today with my family.”
Christina is striving to bring awareness to her community so others can have the same positive outcome that she had.
Bristol is one of over 40 Get Your Rear in Gear® host cities across North America, including the Bahamas. Local volunteers plan the events with support from the Colon Cancer Coalition. Proceeds from Get Your Rear in Gear − Bristol stay local to provide colorectal cancer screenings to uninsured, low income patients, as well raise public awareness and fund research.
Interest in colon cancer has also risen in recent years, following the deaths of Chadwick Boseman, Kirstie Alley, and Tik Tok star Randy Gonzalez of the Enky Boys. And even though the risk of developing colon cancer increases with age, the diagnosis in young people is on the rise. Events such as Get Your Rear in Gear−Bristol bring life-saving awareness and screening access, as well as community connection to others living the shared experience.
“Get Your Rear in Gear events are a time for the colorectal community to join together to support one another,” said Colon Cancer Coalition President Chris Evans. “Events like these give patients, survivors, caregivers, and other loved ones the chance to connect with others living the shared experience of a colorectal cancer diagnosis while helping create awareness for this very treatable disease.”
Registration, volunteering, and sponsorship information is available at: ColonCancerCoalition.org/Bristol