Denver Undy 5000: Race takes underwear outside for good cause

The Colon Cancer Alliance will host the Denver Undy 5000, a "brief" 5K walk/run in underwear to raise awareness and money for the fight against colorectal cancer. Proceeds from the event, set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Denver's City Park will benefit the Colorado Colorectal Screening Program at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Last year's race raised about $118,000 and included more than 1,000 participants.

This year's race will honor former Denver Councilwoman Carla Madison, who spoke at last year's Undy 5000, but sadly passed away in April after a two-year battle with colon cancer. Her husband, Paul Weiss, will speak this year in her honor. Denver Mayor Guillermo (Bill) Vidal also will speak.

Runners and walkers wear anything from running shorts to their wildest pair of boxers. Participants will receive a commemorative pair of Undy 5000 boxers, while supplies last.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but it is preventable through early screening. This fun but important event is held in cities across the country throughout the year to educate the public about colon cancer and early screenings.

Facts about colorectal cancer:

• This year, 142,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer
• One out of 19 people will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime
• More than 75 percent of people with colon cancer have no family history
• People who are diagnosed in the earliest stages of the disease have a 90 percent chance of being cured, yet only a small percentage are seen early due to a lack of screening or awareness
• Colon cancer strikes men and women equally and people of all ages and races
• The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all

The Colon Cancer Alliance National Conference on Family Matters: What Every Family Needs to Know About Colon Cancer will make its debut in Denver June 23-25.

For more information and to register for the race, please visit www.undy5000.org