ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The 16th annual March to Get Screened 5K was held in St. Johns County to spread the message of getting checked for colon cancer on Sunday.
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Over 800 runners and walkers of all ages took off from Borland Groover in Durbin Crossing. Carole Rogero, the community outreach manager, said it started very small at the beach with about 60 people. Then, it moved to the Riverside Arts Market where it continued to grow.
Now, Rogero said the message is simple: 45 is the new 50, in terms of the age when people should start getting screened.
“Colon cancer is one of those diseases that people won’t really think to get screened for. There’s a lot of stigma with colonoscopies, but it’s one of the top three deadliest cancers in America,” Rogero said.
For Jessica Pawlish and her group, the name Kathy was on their minds.
“You gotta have a village behind you to get through everything and know that you’re not alone when you are going through times like this,” Pawlish said.
Kathy passed away less than a month ago due to colon cancer. She was a runner herself, so this event meant that much more to the group.
“We’re here to represent her and her family and just try to remember her and have her celebration of life today,” Pawlish said.
The 5K has raised over $108,000 with more than 270 donations.
