Source: media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com
Author: Jenny Chung

Diagnosed as the cause of death for over 8,000 Americans annually, oral cancer is a disease that rarely garners the attention it deserves. But this year, Penn Dental School students are raising awareness with the first Oral Cancer Walk Philadelphia. Organized by the Oral Cancer Awareness Society, the walk is to be held tomorrow – regardless of weather conditions – beginning at 10 a.m.

Participants will follow a 3.1-mile circular route that starts and finishes at the University’s School of Dental Medicine at 240 S. 40th St.

All participants are required to raise a minimum of $20 to benefit the Oral Cancer Foundation, while oral cancer survivors are invited to walk for free as honored guests. Refreshments and live entertainment will be provided along the Walk free of charge until 2 p.m. Complimentary oral screenings will also be offered from 10 a.m. onward.

OCAS was founded last year by Penn Dental students Ann Layvey and Natalie Powell, who were “inspired to organize a charity event of their own” after attending a Penn Law fundraiser last year, according to the Web site. The Walk was coordinated through the combined efforts of over 40 students in five different subcommittees and boasts a logo designed by Penn Dental student Susana Porras.

Thus far, the group has raised nearly $10,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation from corporate sponsors and various organizations affiliated with the dental school.

According to Oral Cancer Walk Philadelphia Head of Media Relations Michelle Han, the Walk will generate at least $5,000 in walker registration fees and sponsorship money.

According to spokeswoman Anna Yuan, oral cancer “is highly treatable when identified early, but if detected late has only a 50-percent survival rate.”

She added that West Philadelphia is an ideal location for the Walk due to the high prevalence of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the community.

In addition to fundraising, OCAS aims primarily “to start a communitywide dialogue regarding oral cancer prevention, detection and survival,” said Yuan.

To this end, OCAS is currently in the process of planning future events designed to educate communities about the importance of early detection and treatment, including oral cancer screenings at nursing homes.