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Junaia Carter 5K
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SIU alumni, medical students hosting 5K for cancer research on October 28

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About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in the course of their lifetime. During 2023, nearly 298,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among U.S. women. In addition, 30 percent of all breast cancer patients will have the disease metastasize, but only 2-5 percent of research funding goes to metastatic breast cancer.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On October 28, SIU School of Medicine is hosting a 5K run/walk to honor Junaia Carter, MD, a 2010 alumnus who passed away from Stage 4 breast cancer shortly after graduation. Now in its 10th year, the event in Springfield's Washington Park raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research. All proceeds from the race support local cancer studies at Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU Medicine.

Staff in SIU's Office of Development and Alumni Relations and student representatives in the American Medical Association are coordinating the professionally timed 5K race. The benefit has categories for runners and walkers. Children 12 and under can participate in the fun run and a costume contest.

Participants should meet at Washington Park’s Main Pavilion in central Springfield for the race events that begin at 8 a.m.

Registration and more information is at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Springfield/JunaiaPCarterMD5KRunWalk.

 

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