April 7, 2009

Runners, walkers and volunteers sought for Purdue Cancer Center Challenge

The Purdue Cancer Center Challenge is drawing near with another way to help defeat cancer.

The 5K run/walk will start at 8:30 a.m. April 18 outside Ross-Ade Stadium. Runners, walkers, volunteers and sleepers — yes, sleepers — are wanted. One option is to "sleep in" on Saturday morning, i.e., participate in spirit and in donating without doing the route.

Registration is $20 for adults and $18 for students. The 2008 Challenge raised more than $30,000 as more than 1,000 people participated.

Football head coach Danny Hope is event spokesman and has lent his name to a participation challenge award. Another award is named for former Purdue basketball player Cuonzo Martin, a cancer survivor.

An additional feature is that Puccini's, the sponsor of those two awards, is designating April 13 as Purdue Cancer Center Challenge Day. Puccini's will donate 20 percent of its receipts for that day to the center.

More is at www.purduecancercenter.com; click the Challenge logo. The site has registration details, event facts, award challenges and testimonials.