St. Clair Shores Resident to Participate in the Run for the Ribbon

Joelle Slaugher has both a professional and personal reason to participate in the annual Run for the Ribbon event at the this Father's Day.

Slaugher, of St. Clair Shores, works for the Michigan Institute of Urology and is volunteering to work at the run.

But she also supports the fundraiser because her father was diagnosed, and treated for, prostate cancer. He has now been cancer-free for three years. 

"The main (reason she participates) is to help raise awareness of men's health, prostate awareness and research and support my dad because he is a survivor," Slaugher said. "We need to support this important cause because a a lot of men don't want to go to the doctor ... we have to take care of our guys."

Slaugher will be joined by more than 1,500 other runners and walkers at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Detroit Zoo for the fourth MIU Run for the Ribbon. According to organizers, the mission of the event is to increase awareness about prostate cancer and educate the public about the disease, including detection, prevention and treatment. 

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer found in American men, affecting one in six, and is the second leading cause of death. More than 240,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2012 which are estimated to claim more than 28,000 lives. 

“Prostate cancer doesn’t affect just an individual, it affects his entire family,” said Michael Lutz, M.D., board member of the MIU Men’s Health Foundation and urologist with Michigan Institute of Urology, in a release. “We also hope the race will inspire more men to fight for their health with appropriate screenings so they know everything about their ‘opponent’ as early as possible.”

Race day registration is $35 for adults and $25 for children. All participants will receive an official t-shirts and blue ribbons will be available to those honoring an individual with prostate cancer.

Medals will also be awarded to all finishers, with special awards going to top finishers in several age categories. Those with prostate cancer will be given a commemorative hat to be honored and supported throughout the race for their courage. 

Proceeds from the events will benefit prostate cancer and men’s health related issues in southeastern Michigan.

For more information about the event, and other men's health events, visit MIUMensHealthFoundation.org.