Lace Up for a Cure 5K

The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB presents Lace Up for a Cure, an annual 5K walk to be held Saturday, March 9, at the UAB Campus Green located on Ninth Avenue South in Birmingham, Alabama.

Lace Up for a Cure will benefit the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and aims to bring together individuals from the community who have been impacted by cancer. Registration is $15 online.

“This is the only event that represents all cancer types, and one that everyone can participate in,” said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Lace Up provides us a chance to show our support to those affected by cancer by doing something as simple as walking. We want everyone to join us and participate.”

The Cancer Center was recently renamed the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB with a generous naming gift of $30 million from O’Neal Industries and its shareholders.

“This is our second year of this event but first bearing the O’Neal name,” Birrer said. “We want people in our community to know we have this great facility that conducts innovative cancer research and provides world-class patient care right in their own backyard.”

The O’Neal Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center located in the four-state area that includes Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. With its array of clinical trials, precision oncology efforts and continued commitment to outreach efforts in cancer disparities, it is at the forefront of improving cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

“We want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer, and we couldn’t do it without community support,” Birrer said. The event will feature fun for all ages, an event T-shirt for purchase, yoga dance by Meg Baker and music by DiJital Entertainment. Smoothies and açai bowls will be available for purchase from City Bowls, and Southern fare will be sold by Shindigs.

Registration is $15 online and available on-site for $20. The 5K walk route can be viewed on the website. Free parking will be available in the UAB Ninth Avenue Deck located at 1602 Ninth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Race Day Agenda

• 7-8 a.m. — Sign-in and On-site Registration/T-shirt Pickup

• 8 a.m. — Yoga Dance by Meg Baker

• 8:30 a.m. — 5K Walk and Survivors Lap Start

• 9:45 a.m. — Cool Down Exercise and Fun on the Green

For more information, contact Hilary Murrell at 205-934-6326 or hmurrell@uab.edu.