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Walkers at the fifth Be A Part of the Cure Walk.
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Hosts Sixth Be A Part of the Cure Walk on May 2
Bachelor Alum Lesley Murphy Back as Emcee
| LITTLE ROCK — The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will hold its sixth Be A Part of the Cure Walk to support cancer patients, survivors, and families at 8 a.m. May 2 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Gates open at 6:30 a.m.
For the second year, the event will be emceed by Fort Smith native, “The Bachelor” alum, and travel journalist Lesley Murphy. Murphy underwent genetic testing at UAMS after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the results showed that Murphy carried the BRCA 1 gene mutation. She later had a preventive double mastectomy at UAMS.
This year’s honoree is James Y. Suen, M.D., a facial plastic surgery otolaryngologist who co-founded the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, now the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, with Kent Westbrook, M.D. Suen also served as a director of the Cancer Institute.
“This is a wonderful event that means so much to so many people,” said Cancer Institute Director Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D. “We come together to remember those who lost their battle with cancer, honor those who are still in the fight, and celebrate the amazing team at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute who provide outstanding cancer care.”
Last year’s event drew more than 1,700 walkers and volunteers and raised more than $470,000 to support cancer research, clinical trials, and long-term survival studies at the Cancer Institute.
Walkers can choose a 1K or 5K route, both of which are wheelchair and stroller accessible. The 1K route is conveniently located adjacent to War Memorial Stadium. The 5K route goes through War Memorial Stadium and outdoor golf course. Adult registration costs $30 ($25 before March 31) and includes an event T-shirt. Youth and student registration is $10. Children 13 and under are free.
Participants can also enjoy drawings for prizes, light food offerings as well as dozens of vendors and entertainment groups at War Memorial Stadium during and after the walk, including a Kids Discovery Zone and a Growing Hope area for survivors.
To register, donate, or learn more, visit beapartofthecure.com.
The Founding sponsor for the Be A Part of the Cure Walk is Hickingbotham Investments, Inc. Other sponsors this year include Highlands Oncology (Diamond) and the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Board of Advisors (Visionary).
The Cancer Institute is seeking additional sponsors who would like to support the institute’s research and treatment programs. Visit cancer.uams.edu/cure/sponsor/ for more information.
The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute is Arkansas’ only academic cancer research and treatment center, offering the most advanced cancer therapies including Arkansas’ only bone marrow transplant program; the largest number of cancer clinical trials, including the state’s only Phase 1 Unit; and a statewide patient navigation and outreach program.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,553 students and 1,015 medical residents and fellows. It is the state’s largest public employer with about 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###