4TH ANNUAL NYC ORAL CANCER WALK ON APRIL 18

4TH ANNUAL NYC ORAL CANCER WALK ON APRIL 18

NYU and Columbia Dental Students, Harlem Hospital Center, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, and Renaissance Health Care Network Team Up to Stamp Out Oral Cancer

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, students from New York University College of Dentistry and from other local chapters of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA), in partnership with the Harlem Hospital Center, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, NYU, Columbia University, and Renaissance Health Care Network, will lead New York City’s fourth annual Oral Cancer Walk to raise awareness of a disease that kills over 7,000 American men and women each year.

Last spring, the third annual NYC Oral Cancer walk was a success, attracting some 700 participants, up from just shy of 300 walkers in 2006, the first year of the walk, and raising over $30,000. This year, the goal will be to double both the number of walkers and the funds raised.

The walk is taking place in Harlem to call attention to the fact that oral cancer disproportionately affects African-American men, who have the highest rates of oral cancer in the United States. If detected in its earliest stages, however, oral cancer is easily treated. The key is early detection and prevention. Major risk factors are tobacco and heavy alcohol use.

Free oral cancer screenings and general health screenings will be available immediately following the walk.

WHEN: Saturday, April 18, 2009 11AM – rain or shine

WHERE: Registration begins at 9AM at Marcus Garvey Park Auditorium near 122nd St. West & Mount Morris Park West, Harlem, NYC

Welcoming ceremonies begin at 10AM and Walk begins at 11AM. Participants will receive a map of the walk route (approximately four miles) when they register.

The first 600 registered walkers will receive free T-shirts with the Oral Cancer Walk logo. All walkers must have at least one sponsor. Walkers are encouraged to seek sponsorship to cover and exceed their registration cost. There will be special prizes for the three walkers or team leaders who raise the most money or have the greatest number of sponsors. Registration details, walker donation forms, and more information are available at www.oralcancerwalknyc.org

Dr. Ross Kerr, clinical associate professor of oral & maxillofacial pathology, radiology, and medicine at the NYU College of Dentistry, and the faculty advisor for the walk, noted that the walk will raise awareness with many groups “The emphasis should also be placed on educating physicians about oral cancer- when I teach my students,” he said, “I say at the end of the day, all you need is to have one patient with an early cancer that you picked up and you will do this for the rest of your career.”

Partners for the Oral Cancer Walk include at the Harlem Hospital Center, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Columbia University, and Renaissance Health Care Network. Additional sponsoring groups include The Oral Cancer Foundation, the Oral Cancer Consortium of New York and New Jersey, and ABC 7.