Dozens take part in charity run at Tara Woods
Whether it was their first run or their 500th, dozens of people turned out at the Tara Woods community took part in the Facial Hair for Causes 5K run to raise awareness to the fact that males also get cancer
The early morning fog slowly lifted and participants jogged or walked the area to benefit 4 Words Foundation and 21st Century CARE, many with facial hair, on both the men and women.
Marie Springsteen, founder of 4 Words, a cancer survivor and Tara Woods resident, said men’s cancer tends to get pushed aside by awareness campaigns for other cancers such as breast cancer.
“We’re here to show our support to all the men who are battling cancer, who survived cancer and to raise funds for their assistance,” Springsteen said. “Men don’t like to come forward and talk about it, and we recognize that. We’re spearheading the event to start the conversation.”
That was the reason for the facial hair promotion. Indeed, many of the male runners arrived with full facial hair, and even Springsteen sported a mustache, however briefly, when promoting the event on TV.
Ann Francis, of 21st Century CARE, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients in terms of food, gasoline and temporary housing, said cancer is an expensive disease, with or without insurance.
“We want them to concentrate on the disease and that’s why we help them with their bills,” Francis said.
The event, which hoped to raise $5,000, featured raffles for items such as trips on the Key West Express, dining certificates, items from the NHL’s Florida Panthers and much more.
WINK-TV’s Corey Lazar emceed the event. Pink Heals Southwest Florida brought its pink firetruck in support, and First Watch restaurant supplied the coffee and fruit to the participants and volunteers.
Lazar has seen himself and his father survive cancer and has lost an uncle and grandfather to it. So such an event means a lot to him.
“Nowadays everyone knows somebody, whether in the family or workplace that has battled cancer, and it’s awful,” Lazar said. “I’ve emceed many events, but this is the first like this I’ve done when it comes to help the battle against cancer.”
Michael Piggott, board president of Pink Heals, said he’s done a lot with 21st Century CARE, and that the best thing about the event is that the money stays locally, adding that just because the fire engine is pink, doesn’t mean it’s just for breast cancer.
“We are about all cancers, all illnesses and all communities. We support anyone working to help the community and make it better,” Piggott said.
Springsteen said the walk/run was competitive, as it was timed, but it was also for a good cause and gave people bragging rights to say they ran in a 5K.
John Peterson, of Cape Coral, with beard, has been a runner for 50 years. He said he likes to run races, even at age 78.
“I was an out-of-shape 28-year old male and decided to do something about it. I was 180 and now I try to stay around 140,” Peterson said. “I’ve run 13 marathons and try to run three days a week.”
Kyme Aaseby was running her first 5K after several months of training.
“I have a friend here from New York, who’s a survivor, and we have another friend who is also a survivor, so it fits,” Aaseby said. “I said I’d never do a race, but I’m here. It’s an awesome cause.”