Odessa Resident Jim Tancredi wants everyone to know colon cancer is 100 percent preventable with early detection. That is why each year he hosts the Pace for Prevention 5K Run/Walk.
Both of Tancredi’s parents were diagnosed with colon cancer and passed away from it in the last 10 years. After his mother died in 2004, he decided to get out and spread awareness, so he formed the Tancredi Colon Cancer Prevention Foundation and the first race was born.
“For us, it’s not about making money,” Tancredi said. “It’s essentially about promoting prevention.”
Tancredi said individuals age 50 and older are considered most at risk for colon cancer, but that does not mean people in other age groups should ignore it.
“We tell folks that if you don’t think you can use the information, give it to family, neighbors or colleagues that look like they could use it,” he said. “If it saves one person from the kinds of things my parents went through, all the effort is worth it.”
Tancredi said the run/walk is designed to gather many people of all ages in a festive atmosphere where they can have fun and take home some valuable information about early detection and screenings that can detect cancer.
“Colon cancer and colonoscopies are not easy subjects to talk about because of the negative stigma attached,” he said. “This event lets us wrap the information around something positive and capture a wide audience.”
Tancredi said the race entry is free for all runners who raise at least $50 in pledges. Awards will be given to the overall male and female finishers, top three male and female walkers and top three finishers in five-year age groups, from 13 and younger through 70 and older.
The Iron Hill Brewery will provide a continental breakfast buffet, including mimosas and Iron Hill beer after the race.
All funds raised will go back to the foundation and used for prevention awareness.
Former Philadelphia Phillies Center Fielder Garry Maddox will be this year’s keynote speaker.
“He does a lot of charity work and he has a direct connection to colon cancer,” Tancredi said. “We always try to have someone of social significance to garner some more attention.”
He said the event gains more participants each year. Last year, 300 people walked or ran in the event.
“For every person that we deliver information to, we ask that they also give it to friends and family, so we feel like we are able to reach out to a few thousand people each year.”
Tancredi said he encourages residents to come out and educate themselves and others about colon cancer, as it could one day affect someone they know.
“Just because you don’t think you’re in the risk category, doesn’t mean you can’t deliver an important message to someone who is,” he said. “Just a small piece of information or a reminder to get screened can save someone a lot of grief.”
