Globe-athon: Walkathon from Camerhogne Park to National Stadium Part of Worldwide Event to Raise Awareness about Women’s Cancers

From the United States to Iran, from Russia to the Congo, from Peru to South Korea, people in over 80 countries around the world are uniting in the first annual international Globe-athon: The Walk to End Women’s Cancers. During the last weekend in September, participants in more than 80 countries will make history by walking in solidarity with millions of women and families affected by below-the-belt reproductive cancers.

The Pink Ribbon Society, the Grenada Cancer Society and the Grenada Public Health Association are partnering to facilitate Grenada’s participation in the inaugural Globe-athon: On Sunday, 29th September, 2013, the Grenada Globe-athon event will be a walkathon from Camerhogne Park to the National Stadium. The Honorable Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Margaret Odili, local Globe-athon Chair, Dr. Barrymore McBarnette, Head of the Oncology Unit at the General Hospital, the Ministry of Health staff and other health care professionals, members of Cabinet, members of the Diplomatic Corps, cancer survivors and their families, SSU Fitness Camp, and supporters will walk to gain attention for this global gynecologic cancer awareness movement.

Gynecological (GYN) cancers -- cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar -- account for almost 20% of the 5.1 million estimated new cancer cases and 2.9 million cancer deaths worldwide. More than 230,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, many in the late stages of their disease, and more than half will die. 

Cervical cancer is ranked as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in the Caribbean, and causes the highest percentage of cancer deaths among women in Grenada, followed by uterine and ovarian cancers. Of the above cancers, globally, Grenada ranks highest (4th) in uterine cancer deaths. Approximately 6 women in Grenada will die every year from cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer.

While gains have been made in treating breast cancer and other diseases, far too many women around the world continue to die from reproductive cancers,” says Dr. Larry Maxwell, US-based OB/GYN and member of the Globe-athon Advisory Committee. “We want women to learn the symptoms for early detection and successful treatment, and raise research funding to develop better tools to defeat these cancers.”

Common risk factors that increase a woman’s chance of getting gynaecologic cancers are: age, sexual intercourse at a young age, multiple sexual partners, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HIV infection, family history of gynaecologic or other cancer, obesity and smoking cigarettes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends early detection via screenings (i.e. pap smears and blood tests) as an important first step in increasing the chances of treatment and survival with gynaecologic cancers. Gynaecologic cancers are curable, and women are urged to ask their doctor about screening options.

The general public , NGOs, Churches, walking clubs and other organizations are encouraged to come out in their numbers and walk with the Grenada Cancer Society, Pink Ribbon Society and the Grenada Public Health Association (GPHA) to raise awareness in the fight to eliminate gynaecologic cancers among women in Grenada. Central Health Initiative – Grenada provided technical support for the planning of this event and functions as a corporate sponsor of Grenada Public Health Association.

Globe-athon is an unprecedented call-to-action, uniting communities around the world to raise awareness and support research on reproductive cancers. Globe-athon Grenada joins this signature, multinational coalition to shine a bright spotlight on these diseases and support a global movement to end women’s cancer. Globe-athon Grenada will culminate with a candlelight vigil and ceremony at the national stadium at the end of the walk.

Event: Walk athon

When: Sunday, 29th September, 2013

Where: Camerhogne Park to the National Stadium

Time: 3:45 PM

Starting 3:00 PM persons will be shuttled from the National Stadium to Camerhogne Park for the start of the walk, and again at the end walk.

For continued updates on the Globe-athon Grenada Walk, tips on gynecological health, and information on sponsors of the event "LIKE" our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/GlobeathonGrenada. Visit www.globeathon.com to learn about the international movement.