Published Aug 12, 2013 at 2:06 pm (Updated Aug 12, 2013)
Source: The Sparta Independent

 

ANDOVER — On Saturday, Sept. 21 , the sixth annual Oral Cancer Foundation Walk/Run for Awareness in Memory Of David Nasto will take place at Perona Farms in Andover.

The annual event is held in honor of a local, young man who lost his life to oral cancer seven years ago.

Susan Lauria, David’s sister, hosts the walk each year and is excited to announce the special features of the 2013 event.

Participants will have access to free oral cancer screenings by local dentists and oral surgeons as well as free blood pressure screenings. All participants will enjoy live music and raffles, as well as the complimentary breakfast and barbecue, facepainting for kids and more.

Stage IV Oral Cancer Survivor Michael White will speak about his battle with the disease and how he is thriving today. In person registration will begin at 8 am. The first 150 walkers/runners to arrive will receive free goody bags!

To date, hundreds of participants in David’s Memorial Walk have helped raise over $80,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation, for awareness initiatives and to conduct life-saving research.

Fundraising efforts have started for 2013 and community members are encouraged to form teams or fundraise individually to aid in the fight against oral cancer. An iPad3 will be given to the person who raises the most donations over $2,000 on their personal fundraising page.

Any dental office team who raises the most donations can win an Identafi Screening Device, donated by Henry Schein Dental, valued at $3000.

To pre-register and start fundraising today, visit the events page of oralcancer.org to create your own fundraising page. For questions, call Susan Lauria at 856-642-0483.

Approximately 42,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013, which includes mouth cancer, tongue cancer and throat cancer. When found early, there is an 80 to 90 percent survival rate. However, due to a lack of public awareness, the majority of cases are found as late-stage cancers that can be killers.

David Nasto was an avid surfer, snowboarder, cyclist, water skier and camper before he was diagnosed with stage IV tongue cancer after leaving a sore on his tongue go unchecked for months. David fought the disease with the same passion he exhibited every day of his life before diagnosis, but he tragically lost his fight on June 13, 2006.

The Memorial Walk is held each year in his memory to help the Oral Cancer Foundation raise awareness through its early detection programs and research.

– See more at: http://spartaindependent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130812/SPORTS/130819988/Walk/Run-will-raise-money-for-oral-cancer-research#sthash.h9evItBx.dpuf

 

* This news story was resourced by the Oral Cancer Foundation, and vetted for appropriateness and accuracy.