Media Kit: One in a Million 5K Run/Walk Benefitting PMP Pals Network
RELEASE DATE: August 6, 2024
EVENT DATE: September 14, 2024
5K RACE CONTACT: Sheri Doss, San Antonio appendix cancer survivor, sheridoss@pmppals.net 210-262-2538
PMP PALS CONTACT: Charmaine Skillman, Austin appendix cancer survivor, charmaine@pmppals.net 512-694-8300
PRESS CONTACT: Tara Collins, care partner tara@pmppals.net 607-643-5148
PRESS RELEASE HERE: https://pmppals.net/one-in-a-million-5k-run-walk-benefits-global-rare-cancer-peer-community/
HEADLINE: One in a Million 5K Run/Walk Benefits Global Rare Cancer Peer Community
SUBHEAD: Appendix cancer survivor and local San Antonian Sheri Doss spearheads local event to highlight health, wellness, appendix cancer, and a birthday she was not destined to see
HOOKS:
- August is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month. Amber is this rare disease “ribbon” color.
- Local resident is a member of a global community of rare disease survivors beating the odds and living well beyond an appendix cancer diagnosis.
- Interesting Facts about Appendix Cancer:
- Appendix cancer affects one in a million people globally each year.
- Appendix cancer is on the rise, particularly among people under 40.
- Appendix cancer generates a condition called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, or PMP, a mucin which creates abdominal complications that inhibit a long life.
- Appendix cancer is a rare disease with no cure but has life-extending best practices when diagnosed early and treated appropriately.
- The Standard of Care for APpendix cancer is the MOAS – Mother of All Surgeries – which includes extensive removal of peritoneal organs called Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) coupled with HIPEC, Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. Other treatments include systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, PIPAC.
- HIPEC involved filling the belly cavity with a heated chemotherapy solution and “bathing” the organs for a period of up to 90 minutes.
IMAGES:
L-R: Sheri Doss; Sheri & Harold Doss; Hope the Bear Awards; One in a Million logo; PMP Pals logo; Sheri & Harold with family; more images available upon request
INTERVIEW CANDIDATES:
Sheri & Harold Doss (PMP Pals couple in SATX, race director) Sheri Doss, San Antonio appendix cancer survivor, sheridoss@pmppals.net 210-262-2538
Dr. Armando Sardi, Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, MD (Sheri’s physician)|
Charmaine Skillman, Austin, TX (Pals Treasurer/Event Coordinator, 25-year survivorTara Collins, Little Egg Harbor, NJ (Care partner to husband diagnosed in 2022 with second most aggressive subtype-appendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinoma)
REFLECTIONS FROM PMP PALS WORLDWIDE:
Christine Hill & family (4 generations of Pals in Minnesota)
Lindsay Wolfram (international Pal in Canada)
Adele Jasion, Illinois (Pals President, 14-year survivor)
LINKS OF INTEREST:
PMP Pals https://www.pmppals.net
One in a Million 5K Run Walk registration page: https://solerssports.raceentry.com/races/one-in-a-million-5k-runwalk/2024/register
5K sponsorships: https://solerssports.raceentry.com/races/one-in-a-million-5k-runwalk/2024/sponsor
5K sponsorship tiers: https://i0.wp.com/pmppals.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OIAM-5K-In-Sponsorships-Graphic.png
5k donations: https://solerssports.raceentry.com/races/one-in-a-million-5k-runwalk/2024/fundraising/charity/charity/pmp-pals-8445
ONE IN A MILLION 5K RACE DETAILS:
Virtual & In-person: September 14, 2024
Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78217
REGISTRATION: 5K and Virtual https://solerssports.raceentry.com/races/one-in-a-million-5k-runwalk/2024/register
PACKET PICKUP:
September 12, 4-7p at La Tea Da, 434 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 1101, San Antonio
RACE DAY:
7:30am Event-day registration & packet pick-up
8:30am Welcome
9:00am Race start
10:00am beginning of awards ceremony and random bib number drawings for door prizes
This is a certified 5K with chipped timing. Results will be posted immediately after the race.
RACE PROFILE:
- 5K Run/Walk is an out-and-back profile.
- Length is approximately 1.5 miles each way.
- A half-mile turnaround is marked for short-course participants. 1-milers are welcome. All participants on course must sign a waiver.
- Bring a friend.
- Strollers allowed.
- Sorry, no pets this year.
- COURSE MAPS: 5K Run/Walk Course
- This is a rain-or-shine event! Remember to dress appropriately for the event!
PMP PALS SOCIAL PLATFORMS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pmppalsnetwork
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmp_pals/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pmppalsnetwork/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PMPPals
Website: www.pmppals.net
ONE IN A MILLION 5K RACE DETAILS:
Virtual & In-person: September 14, 2024
Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78217
REGISTRATION: 5K and Virtual https://solerssports.raceentry.com/races/one-in-a-million-5k-runwalk/2024/register
PACKET PICKUP:
September 12, 4-7p at La Tea Da, 434 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 1101, San Antonio
RACE DAY:
- 7:30am Event-day registration & packet pick-up
- 8:30am Welcome
- 9:00am Race start
- 10:00am beginning of awards ceremony and random bib number drawings for door prizes
- This is a certified 5K with chipped timing. Results will be posted immediately after the race.
RACE PROFILE:
- 5K Run/Walk is an out-and-back profile.
- Length is approximately 1.5 miles each way.
- A half-mile turnaround is marked for short-course participants. 1-milers are welcome. All participants on course must sign a waiver.
- Bring a friend.
- Strollers allowed.
- Sorry, no pets this year.
- COURSE MAPS: 5K Run/Walk Course
- This is a rain-or-shine event! Remember to dress appropriately for the event!
AWARDS:
The One in a Million 5K bestows HOPE; our mascot, Hope the Bear, is the honorary award this year. Created and handcrafted by California resident Linda Abrao, these bears symbolize Hope. We’re excited to hand out over 55 bears as part of our award ceremony on September 14.
Awards for top overall finisher: 1st Place Male and Female
Age Group Awards: 1st Place Male and Female
(Male 15-19, Male 20-29, Male 30-39, Male 40-49, Male 50-59, Male 60+
Female 15-19, Female 20-29, Female 30-39, Female 40-49, Female 50-59, Female 60+)
Appendix cancer survivor and local San Antonian Sheri Doss spearheads local event to highlight health, wellness, appendix cancer, and a birthday she was not destined to see
RELEASE DATE: August 6, 2024
EVENT DATE: September 14, 2024
5K RACE CONTACT: Sheri Doss, San Antonio appendix cancer survivor, sheridoss@pmppals.net 210-262-2538
PMP PALS CONTACT: Charmaine Skillman, Austin appendix cancer survivor, charmaine@pmppals.net 512-694-8300
PRESS CONTACT: Tara Collins, care partner tara@pmppals.net 607-643-5148
MEDIA KIT & IMAGES: https://pmppals.net/media-kit-one-in-a-million-5k-run-walk/
August 12, 2024, San Antonio, TX – San Antonian Sheri Doss is grateful to be alive and celebrating an upcoming milestone birthday. Three years ago, things weren’t so certain. In 2021, Sheri was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), a rare disease associated with appendix cancer that affects a small cross-section of the world – people of all ages, shapes, genders, and nationalities. After undergoing an intense lifesaving surgery, her health returned due, in large part, to her daily walking routine. Sheri thrives because of her positive attitude, love for walking, and the online support she found through PMP Pals.
According to Sheri, “I want my friends, family, and San Antonio community to get moving! Walking is important to overall health, but also a wellness marker for those recovering from the Mother of All Surgeries.” Sheri created the One in a Million 5K Run/Walk, not just to celebrate her 60th birthday, but to raise awareness of appendix cancer which is on the rise.. “We are celebrating life on September 14. Lace it up and come run, walk, or stroll with us. I want to give something back, to Pals, and my neighbors; I’d love to see you there to support a great cause.”
Fellow appendix cancer survivor and PMP Pals board member Charmaine Skillman of Austin, TX adds, “It’s been 26 years since I was first diagnosed with Stage IV appendix cancer. The last 15 years I have lived with No Evidence of Disease, what we call ‘NED.’ Many people go misdiagnosed for years before an accurate assessment of their pathology reveals this rare cancer. Many of us receive life-extending treatment in time, others are not so lucky. PMP Pals is a global peer support community that helps patients and care partners navigate the complexity of an appendix cancer diagnosis, treatment, and life afterward. There are four subtypes of appendix cancer and its symptoms, if any, mimic those of other more common conditions. Stage IV appendix cancer does not need to be a death sentence. It does, however, require consultation with an appendix cancer specialist. Depending on the disease subtype, progression is slow or fast. This 5K run/walk helps put appendix cancer on the map and hopefully, we’ll educate a couple of people and physicians in the process.”
The One in a Million 5K Run/Walk is open to people of all ages. It offers virtual participation, as well as an in-person, lace-it-up, event on September 14 at Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Rd., SATX 78217. Awards will be given in a variety of age categories and a 1-mile funwalk is open to those waiting a shorter distance. Registration opens at 7:30am with a Runner Welcome at 8:30a and race start at 9:00 am. Participants can also register online here: https://bit.ly/One-in-a-Million-5K-RaceWalk-2024 – Early Bird Registration of $40 guarantees a race shirt, but that pricing expires August 14 at midnight. Sponsorships are also available from $150 up and most include free and discounted entries: https://bit.ly/Be-a-One-in-a-Million-5K-Sponsor.
The One in a Million 5K Run/Walk is sponsored by: PMP Pals, LMNT hydration drink, SPORTea, Soler’s Sports, Culligan Water of San Antonio, Pearls of Wisdom G’s, Association of Insurance Management (AIM), The Henley Family, Stone Oak Shuttle, and individuals worldwide. with packet pick-up on September 12, 4-7pm at La Tea Da, 434 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 1101, SATX. Those needing more information on the One in a Million 5K Run/Walk, sponsorships, registration, or volunteering, email Sheri Doss sheridoss@pmppals.net.
WHO IS PMP PALS? PMP Pals is a global network of patients and care partners living beyond an Appendix Cancer diagnosis, and its related conditions like Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) which affect the gastrointestinal system, digestion, and nutrition. Founded in 1998, PMP Pals was created when Gabriella Graham, diagnosed with low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), needed answers. She created PMP Pals to fill the gap in public information, physician knowledge, patient resources, and community connections needed. PMP Pals provides peer support that helps Pals go the distance with this rare disease. You gotta dig deep by building the emotional resilience needed to manage the physical side effects of surgery and treatment and the mental impact of possible recurrence. PMP Pals provides HOPE to over 1200 people worldwide through its programs in card-writing packages; warm, cuddly blankets for extended hospital stays; HOPE bears of care and inspiration; 1-1 mentoring; and twice-weekly Zoom calls online. For more information, visit www.pmppals.net.
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Amber is the official color of Appendix Cancer Awareness. It symbolizes the courage, strength, and resilience of appendix cancer patients, care partners, and their families. Working together, we aim to raise awareness among a wider community through shared messaging. Together we are stronger and louder…tog (ACPMP)ether we can make a difference!
PMP Pals, Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation (ACPMP), Pseudomyxoma Survivor, and CANCollaborate are united in enhancing understanding and support for patients with appendix cancer and the related condition pseudomyxoma peritonei. We’re advocating for more patient and care partner considerations, aggressive research to discover new treatments, and approval of existing, off-label uses. The goal? A cure, be it immunotherapy, chemotherapy cocktails, improved best practices, or early detection.
Join us this August as we come together to shine a light on appendix cancer and support those battling this rare and challenging disease. Here’s what you can do:
Each year, SSO/ACT extends the Gabriella Graham Patient Advocacy Award “to an individual or patient advocacy organization that has provided support and hope to patients and families facing cancers that are often treated with a regional treatment approach.” Pals past-president Chris Piekarski and current president Adele Jasion received the honor in 2022 and 2018, respectively. Not only does this award recognize the important role of patient support, it reminds us of the decades of service by Gabriella and PMP Pals.
SSO/ACT recognized the work of Manju George, MVSc, PhD, and the patient advocacy community, COLONTOWN. Manju knows a thing or two about cancer as she’s a Stage 3b rectal cancer survivor. After her diagnosis in 2017, she joined COLONTOWN and applied her post-doctoral training and research experience in Cell and Cancer Biology to develop “CRC 101,” an introductory educational primer for patients new to the colorectal cancer journey. Much like PMP Pals, COLONTOWN offers patient-centered resources, a vibrant Facebook community, “Doc Talks” with expert & physician presentations, and support through peer exchange. Take a look at their website for interesting information and resources you might find helpful.
Congratulations Manju for emboding the spirit and persistence of our founder and helping patients worldwide live well beyond their diagnosis.
Pals President Adele Jasion and Secretary-Treasurer Charmain Skillman attended the Society of Surgical Oncology’s Advanced Cancer Therapies (SSO/ACT) symposium in February 2024. Charmaine shares her perspective here.
PMP Pals recently attended the meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology Advanced Cancer Therapies (SSO/ACT) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.This gathering of 200 surgeons and associated professionals is the most concentrated annual educational event in the U.S. for those treating peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs).
Why do we go to SSO? Adele and I attended and tabled in the exhibit hall to increase exposure of PMP Pals and our programs for individuals affected by PMP and appendix cancer. We spent three days renewing connections with long-time friends of Pals and meeting new physicians just starting their careers. These interactions bring many benefits, such as identifying new speakers and new topics for our HOPE ZOOM meetings and other events. Also, we learn of new research and new treatments in development. And, we continuously rely on these connections for advice, answers, and involvement in new projects, such as our newly-formed Medical Advisory Board (The MAB – more on that in our next enews). We even met three of our MAB Pals – Doctors Dineen, Onchin, and Wiatrek – over breakfast.
Plus, we were very proud to be in the room when SSO/ACT presented the Gabriella Graham Patient Advocacy Award, inspired by the work of our founder. This year, Manju George, Scientific Director for Paltown Development Foundation and COLONTOWN, accepted the award for her nonprofit’s work supporting and educating the colorectal cancer (CRC) patient community. We met with and congratulated Manju, too, and learned more about this large patient organization. We invited her to a future HOPE Zoom to talk about COLONTOWN and medical advancements in the CRC space.
PMP Pals is grateful to participate in SSO/ACT as a sponsoring exhibitor. Your donations allowed Adele and I to represent PMP Pals among the medical professionals who serve our community — your financial support is crucial to our ability to attend this essential event.
In March 2022, when Lindsay Barad packed for her CRS/HIPEC hospital stay, she thought she over-packed.
The one item that she didn’t bring along was a blanket and her first night in the hospital was freezing! The next morning, her father, Jim, stopped at a local department store and purchased two blankets for his daughter. He found this highly ironic as his business, Barad & Co, is a textile manufacturing company that produces plush blankets.
For the next week, Lindsay recovered in the hospital, wrapped up in those cozy blankets. They boosted her spirits, kept her warm, and helped make the sterile hospital room feel more like home. She found similar comfort with PMP Pals. Both have proven invaluable in establishing emotional resilience for living beyond a rare disease diagnosis like appendix cancer.
PMP Pals is partnering with Barad & Co to send Pals worldwide a gesture of comfort. Jim’s gift is his way of giving back to the community which has helped his daughter, Lindsay, as a patient, and him as a caregiver. Similar to our Bare Bottom Bears Program, Pals will send you a complimentary, cozy, plush blanket by mail, as you head into (or home from) surgery or other challenging treatment. This blanket symbolizes what we want every Pal to know: no matter what you are going through, you are not alone.
To request a blanket, email Lindsay at lindsay@pmppals.net. Include the name of the patient or caregiver recipient, mailing address with zip code, and phone number (if available). Out-of-country requests are accepted, however take a longer time to arrive. Limit one blanket per household..
After you receive your Barad’s Blanket in the mail, send us a photo and tell us how this Message of Hope lifted your spirits.
