(October 16, 2012)

Great Pumpkin Run for Research Oct. 27 at Gold Dome

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Great Pumpkin Run for Research will kick off at Centenary's Gold Dome, October 27, at 8:00 a.m. This annual fundraiser increases awareness of healthy lifestyles for cancer prevention, cancer treatments, and research initiatives.

The event features a traditional 5k run and health walk, a kids' half-mile run, healthy lifestyle programs, face painting, Halloween costume contests, and a pumpkin-decorating contest for kids.

Pre-registration for the 5k is $20 through October 26. Race day registration is $25. The half-mile run for kids is $15 through October 26 and $20 race day. Pre-registration guarantees participants a long-sleeve t-shirt. Participants can register at Sportspectrum.

Last year, over 1,000 people participated in the run. Prizes will be awarded to contest winners and teams with the largest numbers of registered runners.

All proceeds from the Great Pumpkin Run support cancer research at LSU Health Shreveport's Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. Fundraising from the 2011 run and other efforts allowed Feist-Weiller to award grants to cancer researchers to develop their ideas. The 2011 awards brought the number of local competitive grants to 25, worth a total of $1.3 million. Twelve of these scientists have been successful on the national level, bringing $8 million back to the community.

Feist-Weiller Caner Center is north Louisiana's academic cancer center. For more information, contact 318.813.1056.