Be A Part of the Cure Walk Raises $400,000 for UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
| The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute held its fourth Be A Part of the Cure Walk on Saturday, May 4, and raised a record-setting $400,000 to support its growing clinical and translational research programs.
Many of the participants at the Be A Part of the Cure Walk walked in honor of friends and family members.
Since 1984, the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has been the center of cancer treatment and research for thousands of Arkansans battling cancer.
About 1,300 cancer survivors, patients, family and friends from all corners of the state and 23 states outside of Arkansas registered for the walk. Including volunteers, more than 1,600 people attended the annual celebration at War Memorial Stadium.
“It’s just a few hours on a Saturday morning, but the impact is far greater than that, said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and UAMS vice chancellor. “These funds will allow us to continue building our research programs and put us in a strong position to apply for National Cancer Institute Designation.”
UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, attended the event and expressed his gratitude
to the sponsors, participants and more than 300 volunteers who made the event a success, particularly walk co-chairs Liz Birrer and Rebecca Tackett.
Big smiles at the Be A Part of the Cure Walk.
“It was very gratifying to see so many people turn out and participate, including local school bands, cheerleaders, choirs and other performers, as well as many of our elected officials,” said Patterson. “If you missed this year’s walk, you won’t want to miss the next one. Mark your calendars for May 3, 2025.”
“So many people come out here to be with others impacted by cancer,” said Liz Birrer. “They come to honor someone they’ve lost, celebrate other survivors and feel supported in their own cancer journey.”
A heartwarming part of the event was the group photo of more than 130 cancer survivors all wearing matching green T-shirts to show their solidarity and honored status at the event.
Emcee Donna Terrell and Miss Arkansas Cori Keller rev up the crowd.
“The walk leaves everyone feeling inspired and encouraged, especially those currently going through treatment. To see so many people come out to show their support means a lot in what can sometimes feel like a very isolating experience,” said Donna Terrell, emcee for the event. Terrell’s daughter passed away from colon cancer at 25, and the Fox 16 news anchor is active in supporting cancer charities throughout the state.
More than 50 teams participated in the event, including 17 teams from various UAMS departments. Participating UAMS departments included the Cancer Institute Administration, Cancer Institute Clinical Trials, Cancer Institute Auxiliary and Envoys, UAMS Breast Surgical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Infusion A, Translational Research Institute, College of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Nursing, Graduate School, House of Delegates, PRI, DCOC Data Coordinators. Teams also included the UAMS Cancer Service Line Red Hot Chili Steppers and Patient Access Pacers.
Hickingbotham Investments is the founding sponsor of the Be A Part of the Cure Walk since the inaugural event in 2021.
Cancer survivors wore green shirts at this year’s event.