This year an estimated 232,090 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. An estimated 30,350 will die from the disease. New Jersey has the third highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation, behind the District of Columbia and Michigan. Fortunately, the survival rate for prostate cancer is 100 percent if a man’s prostate cancer is diagnosed early.
To help raise awareness about prostate cancer and to highlight the importance of screening and early detection, the American Cancer Society will host the third annual "Run For Dad" on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, in Mercer County Park, West Windsor.
This year’s "Run For Dad" is dedicated to the memory of Frank Simms of Hamilton, who lost a valiant battle with prostate cancer in February. Mr. Simms helped to found the annual "Run For Dad" and served as event chairman for the first two years. Mr. Simms also volunteered many hours to the American Cancer Society’s "Man to Man" program, providing information and support to families facing a prostate cancer diagnosis.
"Frank Simms was a great friend and volunteer with the American Cancer Society," said James Young, ACS regional vice president. "Dedicating ‘Run For Dad’ to his memory is a fitting tribute to him and his efforts to raise prostate cancer awareness."
"Run For Dad" features a 5K run on a USATF-certified, traffic-free course, and also includes a two-mile walk on a park road and paved trails, as well as short races for kids age 14 and younger.
Entry fees for the 5K and two-mile walk are $17 ($15 for USATF members) until June 13 and $20 thereafter.
Race day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The 5K run and two-mile walk begin at 9 a.m. The "Kids Run for Dad" begins at 9:45 a.m. Random prize drawings, special goodies for kids, gifts for all dads, a disc jockey and summer snacks will combine to make "Run for Dad" a positive and fun way to honor our fathers.
For the first time, "Run for Dad" participants are raising money for the annual race in a new way, via the ACS’s Community Fund-Raising Pages, found on the ACS’s Web site, www.cancer.org/nynjevents.
The Community Fund-Raising Pages are a free, easy-to-use fund-raising tool. Through Community Fund-Raising Pages, participants in ACS events can electronically recruit team members and send customized e-mails to secure online donations from friends and family.
To learn more about "Run for Dad," call 1-(800)-ACS-2345.
To sign up for an event on the ACS’s Fund-Raising Pages, visit www.cancer.org.

