Be A Part of the Cure Walk Raises More Than $500,000 for Cancer Research
| The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) hosted the sixth annual Be A Part of the Cure Walk on Saturday, May 2, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
The annual event raises money for cancer research, and honors families, survivors, and all who have been impacted by cancer.
More than 2,000 people registered for the Be A Part of the Cure Walk, and donations exceeded $500,000 — both of which are record-high totals since the walk began in 2021.
This year’s donations bring the total raised from the six walks to more than $2.5 million.
“Every dime raised will stay right here at UAMS and be dedicated to cancer research,” said Cancer Institute Director Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D. “We try to do research that’s relevant to the citizens of Arkansas, which includes a focus on breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.”
“The purpose of the walk has always been three-prong — celebrating our survivors, paying tribute to families of those affected by cancer, and recognizing the outstanding staff at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute,” he added.
More than 2,000 people registered for this year’s Be A Part of the Cure Walk – a record for the event.
Lesley Murphy, a Fort Smith native, “The Bachelor” alumna, and travel journalist, emceed the event for the second consecutive year.
“This walk means so much to me. In 2014 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she had the best care and treatment at UAMS,” said Murphy, who underwent a preventative double mastectomy at UAMS after discovering she carried the BRCA 2 gene mutation that put her at high risk for developing breast cancer.
“My family and I are forever indebted to everyone at UAMS, and we are so lucky to have this institution in Arkansas,” she added.
Murphy introduced welcoming speakers, which included an invocation given by cancer survivor Marcus McDonald and remarks from U.S. Rep. French Hill and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.
Be A Part of the Cure Walk emcee Lesley Murphy, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute director Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., and this year’s honoree James Y. Suen, M.D.Image by Bryan Clifton
This year’s special honoree was James Y. Suen, M.D., a distinguished professor of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery 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.
“Dr. Suen is a triple threat as a physician,” said UAMS Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., in a video tribute to Suen. “He’s an incredible clinician, surgeon, and caregiver. A great researcher. An amazing educator. He’s absolutely what academic medicine stands for, and we’ve been lucky to have him in Arkansas for his entire career.”
“Head and neck surgeries are difficult to perform, and Dr. Suen is the best of the best,” Birrer said. “We’re also honoring him because he’s been there from the beginning. When he and Kent Westbrook founded what is now the Cancer Institute, all of the heavy lifting and all of the achievements were critical in getting us where we are today.”
“When Dr. Birrer asked me if I would be the honoree for this event, I thought it was great. I’ve been treating patients for more than 55 years, and I’ve seen patients go through treatment and how family members support them,” Suen said.
Elizabeth Birrer, Florence de Chezelles, and Yendel Jones co-chaired the walk.
Hickingbotham Investments, Inc., is the founding sponsor. Other sponsors include Highlands Oncology (Diamond Sponsor) and the Cancer Institute’s Board of Advisors (Visionary Sponsor).
Vendors and information booths were set up inside the stadium, including many from UAMS. The UAMS mobile lung cancer, mammography, and mobile vision screening vans were staged outside.
Cancer survivors wearing custom blue T-shirts continued the tradition of posing for a photo before participants began the walk.
Walkers had the option of choosing a 1K or 5K route, both of which were wheelchair and stroller accessible. The 1K route was adjacent to War Memorial Stadium, while the 5K route included the outdoor golf course. North Little Rock’s Meadow Park Elementary School Drum Line led the walkers onto the courses.
Attendees enjoyed drawings for prizes, light food offerings, and entertainment during and after the walk, including a Kids Discovery Zone and a Growing Hope area for survivors.
The next Be A Part of the Cure walk is scheduled for May 1, 2027.