Photo: Kyle Bray/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Over 700 people took part in the 15th Annual Get Your Rear In Gear 5K at Carson Beach in South Boston on Saturday, which helps raise funds for colon cancer screenings and research.
Event organizer Brian Shelly started the event when his brother-in-law got colon cancer in his early 30s. He says it’s important to raise awareness with so many younger people being diagnosed with the disease.
“We’ve had people involved in this race over the last 15 years, from 20-80 (years old), and some of the twenty-year-olds unfortunately aren’t with us anymore. So, it’s really important to know the signs, know the symptoms and get treated and get screened,” Brian Shelly said.
Participants came from all of New England, including Maine resident and colon cancer survivor Bill Babbit, who made the drive south for this event for the first time.
“Going through a colonoscopy is a lot less of a problem then going through treatment,” Babbit said on those who may be hesitant to get screened for colon cancer.
Michelle Sorrentino is another colon cancer survivor who is back for another year with her team Strollin’ For The Colon.
“A lot of people don’t realize how important it is to get your colonoscopy. 45 is an age, everybody thinks it’s not a big deal, but you got to do it anyways, whether you think you need it or not. And for me, that’s how I found out how I has cancer, so I really try to promote that,” Sorrentino said.
This year’s event is set to raise over $120,000.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.