JULY 31, 2003 | The first Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Race/Walk will be held at 8 a.m. Sat., Sept. 13, in downtown Little Rock. The announcement was made recently at a news conference at the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

The Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K – being held to help fund education, screening, research and awareness of prostate cancer, a disease that is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men – was announced along with a Sept. 12-13 weekend of activities that will include the second annual Cruisin’ for a Cure classic car show. Proceeds from the Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K will go to research, education and screening programs of ACRC and the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation. Proceeds from Cruisin’ for a Cure will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

John McDonnell, coach of the University of Arkansas Razorback track team, is the honorary chairman of the Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K. McDonnell – who was preparing to leave Arkansas for France where he will coach the world track team – was unable to be at the news conference, but in a videotaped message spoke to men in Arkansas and their loved ones saying, “I’ve won 38 national championships. Let’s form the winningest team of all – the team that beats prostate cancer.”

McDonnell explained that national championships are achieved by athletes who not only believe they are good, but believe they HAVE to be good. “Guys out there in Arkansas, we HAVE to be good,” McDonnell said. “Let's win the fight against prostate cancer.”

“This year, 2,600 Arkansas men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 300 will die,” said Graham F. Greene, M.D., an associate professor of urology in the UAMS College of Medicine and the head of genitourinary oncology at ACRC. “Those are statistics we can change. With early diagnosis and treatment, a man’s chances of survival with prostate cancer are 90 percent or higher. That’s why it’s so important that we get the word out – it’s all about information!”

Dr. Greene also serves as the chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, which he helped found in 2000.

Ronda Henry-Tillman, M.D., an associate professor of surgery in the UAMS College of Medicine and the director of cancer control at ACRC, agreed with Dr. Greene. “Information and education are powerful weapons,” she said. “An informed patient who is active in his or her treatment has a better chance of survival. Likewise, the everyday man or woman, when informed and educated, has a better chance of not winding up as a patient.”

The Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K will begin at Second and Commerce streets in downtown Little Rock. The entry fee for the race will be $15 per person for registration forms that are received by Sept. 1 and $20 per person for forms that are received after Sept. 1. For more information on the Race/Walk or to obtain a race form, call the ACRC Cancer Control Outreach Center at 501-526-7047 or visit www.uams.edu.

Dr. Henry-Tillman and ACRC cancer education specialist Kimberly Blann are serving as co-chairmen of the Prostate Cancer Challenge, which is presented this year by founding sponsor ACRC. Other sponsors include the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the Arkansas Cancer Coalition, KARK-TV Channel 4, the Arkansas Medical Dental and Pharmaceutical Association, KATV-Channel 7, Astra Zeneca, KTHV-Channel 11, Isoplus, KLRT Fox 16, KASN UPN 38 and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Proceeds from the race will go to support prostate cancer awareness, education, screening and research programs around the state that are coordinated by ACRC and the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Speaking at the news conference, Becky Kossover, the director of the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, thanked ACRC and the others involved in putting on the race for their efforts in “getting the word out and helping save lives. Events like the Prostate Challenge and the Cruisin’ for a Cure, which raised more than $30,000 in its first year for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, are so important as we fight to eradicate this disease.”

Dennis Jungmeyer, a prostate cancer survivor and board member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, noted that getting the word out to men before and after a diagnosis of prostate cancer is all important. “You can’t imagine the difference the support of others and the knowledge of what resources are available make in the life of someone just diagnosed with this disease,” he said.

Kossover also announced plans for the second annual Cruisin’ for a Cure, which will be held Sept. 12-13. The first Cruisin’ for a Cure – held on Sept. 21, 2002 – drew 325 vehicles. According to the National Street Rod Association in Memphis, Tenn., last year’s Arkansas Cruisin’ for a Cure was the largest car show of its kind ever held in the state. In addition, 125 men were screened for prostate cancer during a free screening at the event.

Activities for the 2003 Cruisin’ for a Cure event will include:

 * An early bird reception for registered vehicles and sponsors will be Fri., Sept. 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., in the River Market Pavilions.

*The vehicle show and free prostate cancer screenings will be Sat., Sept. 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the North River Landing in North Little Rock. Admission for the public is $5 per person. Vehicle registration is $25 through Sept. 1 and $35 after Sept. 1 and on the day of the show.

* Events after the car show will include a parade of cars through downtown Little Rock, a burger bash for sponsors and registered vehicles, and a 1950s dance featuring the band Sonny Burgess and the Pacers in the River Market Pavilion. Admission for the dance is $12 per person (or $10 with a ticket stub from the Car Show).

For more information on Cruisin’ for a Cure or to register a vehicle, go to www.cruisinforacure.org or call 501-603-7429.