Mercy News Room
April 28, 2008
Walk, Run and Wag for the Cure of Breast and Cervical Cancer
MASON CITY -- Help raise funds at the 15th annual Mercy Walk, Run and Wag for the Cure of Breast and Cervical Cancer on Saturday, May 17 at Mercy Cancer Center, 1000 4th Street S.W., in Mason City. The event is sponsored by Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa Women’s Services. The proceeds will support efforts to increase awareness and provide breast and cervical cancer education and services for underserved women in North Iowa.
On the date of the event, registration is from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. A Breast and Cervical Cancer Survivor Program will be held from 8:45 to 9:10 a.m. The one-mile walk and 5K run start at 9:15 a.m. Adult registration is $20 per person and includes the event and a short-sleeve t-shirt. A $5 registration fee for children and dogs (must be on leash) includes the event and bandana. Treats for both children and dogs are available along the walk route. Doggie massages will be available during registration with donations supporting the event. An awards ceremony will follow the event to recognize run winners and top fundraisers.
You may either register at the event or pre-register by sending your payment with a completed registration form to the Walk, Run and Wag for the Cure, c/o Mercy Women’s Services, 1010 4th Street SW, Suite 230, Mason City, Iowa, 50401. (Brochures are available in the lobbies on East and West Campuses at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa or on our web site at www.mercynorthiowa.com.) T-shirts will be available at the event while supplies last. Individuals who collect $300 or more in donations will receive an event travel thermos.
If you cannot attend but wish to make a donation to the cause, please send your tax deductible donation made out to the Mercy Foundation and mail to “Walk, Run and Wag for the Cure,” c/o Mercy Women’s Services, 1010 4th Street SW, Suite 230, Mason City, Iowa, 50401.
Mercy Women’s Services manages a comprehensive breast and cervical health program. Prior to any state funding availability, the “Walk for the Cure” of breast cancer was organized to provide funding for mammograms for women who could not afford them. Since Iowa’s inception of the Iowa Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) in 1996, Mercy Women’s Services has combined the benefits made available through state funding with the walk funds for more complete services. Over time, these funding sources have changed and grown. In addition to these funding sources, the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund began offering outreach grants that helped create more access for the medically underserved women of North Iowa and the Susan G. Komen Foundation began offering funding to screen women for breast health in North Iowa.
Today, Mercy Women’s Services is able to offer very comprehensive breast and cervical health services. The BCCEDP screens target populations of women age 40-64 that are not insured or underinsured or younger women symptomatic for breast cancer and older women not receiving Medicare coverage for screenings. Through “Walk/Run & Wag for the Cure”, Mercy Women’s Services has the only cervical health funding source in Iowa for women under age 40 that are at high risk for developing cervical cancer and are not breast cancer symptomatic.
Bring a friend, bring your kids and bring your dog to the 15th annual Mercy Walk/Run and Wag for the Cure. The proceeds raised will provide education and services to underserved North Iowa women. Please call Wendy Hippen in Women’s Services at 641.422.7023 for registration information or for more information about making a donation.