Linconia Community Center to host ‘Destined to Win 5K Cancer Walk’

LEVITTOWN, Pa. – Whether it’s a personal one or one involving a loved one (parent, sibling, spouse, child or other relative), everyone has a cancer story to tell.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide with an estimated 10 million people dying from the disease in 2020. Breaking down the alarming numbers even further, about 1 in 5 people will develop cancer within their life and approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from the illness, according to a report by the World Health Organization.

In support of all the fearless fighters and survivors of cancer, the Linconia Community Center (LCC) is hosting its annual “Destined to Win 5K Cancer Walk” at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 at Falls Township Community Park, located at 9050 Mill Creek Road, Levittown, Pa. 19054.

“Our purpose is to help raise awareness of various types of cancer and promote an understanding of how important healthy eating and lifestyles contribute to preventing, tackling, and defeating the disease,” said LCC President Martisa Lovelace about the walk. “Black and brown people are at greater risk of losing the battle due to the lack of awareness, access to foods that offer greater nutritional value, healthcare depravity, and their own cultural values.”

In fact, cancer mortality rates were 18%-19% higher among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) males than among White males, according to a 2023 American Cancer Society report, and AIAN and Black women had 16% and 12% higher cancer mortality rates than White women despite 7% and 9% lower incidence rates, respectively.

Registration is underway and open until the day of the event. Cost to participate is $35 plus a $3.10 sign-up fee. Runners (self-timed) are welcome to take part, and everyone is encouraged to come out to the park for fellowship even if they’re unable to fully complete the 5K walk, which is approximately 3.1 miles.

The donation goal for the event is $10,000, which the community center says will assist its continuous efforts to encourage and strengthen cancer survivors, those still battling the illness, and families remembering those they lost to the disease.

Part of the walk’s proceeds will go to Unite For Her, a national nonprofit organization that provides free services and support for breast and ovarian cancer patients, and to the American Cancer Society, which is one of the leading national organizations fighting the disease through advocacy, research, and patient support programs.

For more information about the Linconia Community Center or if you have any additional questions about its upcoming event, please contact Martisa Lovelace at linconiacommunitycenter@gmail.com.

To sign up for next month’s walk and/or to submit a generous donation, go to: Destined to Win Cancer Walk (adventuresignup.com).

Sources:
The American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org.
The World Health Organization: https://www.who.int.