Shields and Team Scope It Out for Colon Cancer

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Peter Shields, MD, joined several GUMC faculty and staff as well as some 2500 participants in the fifth annual Scope It Out 5K Run/Walk, hosted by the Colon Cancer Awareness Foundation, on March 29th, 2009 at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C.

Shields delivered a keynote address on the importance of colon cancer screening and awareness, citing that coloretal cancer is the third leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. The race raised more than $50,000 for colorectal cancer research at Lombardi.

President of the Colon Cancer Awareness Foundation, Julie Clowes, knows the impact that colon cancer can have on a family. She lost her mother, Joann, in 1998, after an 18-month battle with the disease. "We're all at risk for this one. Don't let this cancer choose you," said Clowes before the race. "You can prevent it. Get scopes. Catch the polyps."

Since it's inception in 2005, nearly 10,000 people have participated in the race raising more than $335,000 in proceeds to support colon cancer awareness and research.

By Tressa Kirby, GUMC Communications