Getting Ready to Run!

Heather Ridley-Fleeman

It's March - National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - and we're getting ready for our annual race, the Heather Ridley-Fleeman Battle for Hope. It was named in memory of a young woman from Northwest Arkansas who lost her life to colon cancer nine years ago. Over the years, proceeds from this event have helped us support cancer patients in Northwest Arkansas with financial assistance, prescriptions, transportation, cancer screenings, and other services that benefit them as they go through treatment. More information about colorectal cancer can be found on our post from earlier this month.

This year in Arkansas, the American Cancer Society estimates that we will see 1,540 new cases of colon and rectal cancer, and 610 individuals will die from the disease.  

 
So, what can you do to help? Contrary to what the title of this post might lead you to believe, you don't actually have to run to support the event or the services of Hope Cancer Resources and cancer patients in our community. In addition to the 10k and 5k courses (certified by U.S. Track and Field), we have a 5k walk and 1-mile Family Fun Walk open for registration, as well as kids' races that are held on the track at the race starting location, the Old Tiger Stadium spot on the corner of Bella Vista Road and Tiger Boulevard.


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We understand if you'd rather stay in bed on Saturday morning and let someone else do the walking and running. You can still make a donation to the event through the secure donation link on the Hope Cancer Resources website here, or you can purchase a tribute sign in honor or memory of someone special on the race website here. The tribute signs will be placed along the race routes to help raise awareness of the very real impact that colon cancer has on people right here in Northwest Arkansas.

Example of a Battle for Hope Tribute Sign

Teams are always welcome, and will be competing for some great prizes for the Largest Team, Biggest Fundraising Team. Individuals who finish in the top 3 of their age brackets will receive gift certificates for Jose's Southwest Grill as well as a medal featuring this year's race logo. Registration deadline for teams is April 19th, and individual registration fees increase after that date, so get your folks together and get signed up!

In addition to the events, we will also be selling raffle tickets again this year, and you'll have the chance to win some awesome prizes. We already have Walton Arts Center tickets, bicycles, and gift certificates to local restaurants on the list, and more are being added every day. You can purchase tickets with your online registration, or on the day of the race.

For more information on the Battle for Hope, or to register or view pictures from prior years, please visit the event website at www.heathersraceforhope.com. You can also get the latest updates and news on the race Facebook page here! See you on May 4th!