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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