Memphis and Shelby County Mayors Proclaim April 21 as West Fight On Minority Cancer Awareness Day in Memphis and Shelby County
MEMPHIS, TENN., April 21, 2022 – West Cancer Foundation, whose mission is to advance the fight against cancer through research, education, patient support, and community outreach, announced West Fight On, their largest fundraiser of the year will take place in person this year on Saturday, September 10 at Shelby Farms Park. West Fight On is a running and cycling event that raises money to help fight the disparities in cancer care in the Memphis area and has been a virtual event for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thursday, April 21 was proclaimed as Minority Cancer Awareness Day in Memphis and Shelby County by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Memphis City Mayor Jim Strickland.
“Memphis is currently number seven on the list of large US cities with the biggest disparity in breast cancer mortality in minorities, and every day is Minority Cancer Awareness Day at West Cancer Foundation as we are committed to changing health inequities and leaving a lasting impact by removing barriers to cancer care,” Leighanne Soden, West Cancer Foundation Executive Director. “West Fight On is our signature event and it takes place every year to help fund support programs for cancer patients and to help raise awareness and fight cancer disparities in Memphis. This year West Fight On will take place on September 10 at Shelby Farms Park and we can’t wait for everyone to come together again in person and make a difference in our community.”
This signature fundraising event features three different cycling routes, a cycling and running combo, a 5K run/walk, and a one-mile tribute walk to raise awareness and funds for West Cancer Foundation to help fight the disparities in cancer care in the Memphis area. Sedgwick is the presenting sponsor for West Fight On for the sixth year and Highland Capital is the silver sponsor for the eighth year in a row. To register to walk, run, cycle, or volunteer at this event, visit https://westfighton.org.
West Cancer Foundation is a Memphis-based nonprofit organization founded in 2020 to advance the fight against cancer through local research, education, patient support, and community outreach. The organization is committed to developing collaborative partnerships and innovative community initiatives that will improve health inequities, increase research, and leave a lasting impact by removing barriers to cancer care. West Cancer Foundation has partnered with the University of Memphis and is funding research to help identify the most effective ways to eliminate poverty that directly affects the early detection and treatment of cancer. They have also partnered with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and provide grant funding for the Oncology Fellows and Residents Program to help bring the very best young oncology physicians to Memphis.
As part of their mission to advance the fight against cancer, West Cancer Foundation offers programs centered around cancer research and providing cancer patients with assistance and educational support. The programs include a breast screening program, Lymphedema Assistance Program, Online Wig Boutique, Patient Transportation, Post-Mastectomy Assistance, and Research and Fellowship Programs at University of Memphis and University of Tennessee Health Science Center. To learn more about West Cancer Foundation, visit www.westcancerfoundation.org.
PHOTOS:
West Cancer Foundation Board Members Kevin Woods, Pastor Dianne Young; Leighanne Soden, West Cancer Foundation Executive Director; Neki Catron, Sally Archibald
The West Cancer Foundation can be found online:
Website: https://westcancerfoundation.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westcancerfoundation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westcancerfoundation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/westcancerfdn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-cancer-foundation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6TxneRv6xtIhfkGBN7RBw
About West Cancer Foundation:
West Cancer Foundation is inspired by the work of Dr. William H. West who felt that he received a commission to perform his life’s work when his mother, Margaret West, died after her battle with breast cancer.
West Cancer Foundation’s mission is to advance the fight against cancer through research, education, patient support, and community outreach with the vision to shape oncology research and education so that cancer is no longer a burden for future generations. West Cancer Foundation funds programs that address the West Cancer Foundation core values of community, diversity, discovery, and stewardship. The programs West Cancer Foundation currently funds are Breast Screenings, Lymphedema Assistance, Post-Mastectomy Assistance, Online Wig Boutique, Patient Transportation, and Research and Fellowship Programs at University of Memphis and University of Tennessee Health Science Center. For more information visit https://westcancerfoundation.org/.
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