(October 20, 2011)

Contact: Dena Pruett, Centenary Marketing & Communication, 318.869.5715

Great Pumpkin Run for Research Oct. 29 at Gold Dome

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Great Pumpkin Run for Research will take place Saturday, October 29 at the Centenary College Gold Dome beginning at 8:00 a.m. The Great Pumpkin Run for Research is an annual fundraiser that increases awareness of healthy lifestyles for cancer prevention and Feist-Weiller Cancer Center treatment and research initiatives.

Running pumpkin

The event features various activities:

  • Traditional 5k run and health walk

  • 1/2 mile kid's run

  • Free cancer screening for registered participants

  • Healthy lifestyle programs

  • Halloween costume contests

  • Pumpkin decorating contest for kids

Pre-registration for the 5k is $20 until Oct. 28. Race day registration is $25. The half-mile run for kids is $20. Pre-registration guarantees participants one of the long-sleeve t-shirts. Participants can register at Sportspectrum.

Integrative Oncology will debut with a professional Yoga instructor leading gentle warm-up stretches before the race starts. Integrative Oncology combines conventional cancer care with complementary therapies like Yoga, dietary changes, herbal supplements and the role of spirituality in health to provide a healing approach to cancer patients.

The free oral, head, and neck cancer screening by the LSU Health Shreveport Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery is a non-invasive screening for signs of cancer affecting the mouth, lips, tongue, voice box, and neck. Screening is open to ages 18+.

Last year, about 1,200 people participated in this run managed by Sportspectrum. Great prizes for contests and teams with the largest numbers of registered runners win cash prizes.

Feist-Weiller Cancer Center is north Louisiana's academic cancer center. All money raised is used to fund idea grants for cancer research at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport. For more information contact 318.813.1056.


About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 371 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.