Nebraska’s 5th annual Lymphomathon 5K walk will be held Saturday, May 10, at Mahoney State Park. The free event, which is hosted by the Lymphoma Research Foundation, will begin at 10 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. at the park pavilion.
The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is one of the major sponsors of the walk,
Mahoney State Park is located just off of I-80 at exit 426, between Omaha and Lincoln. Though the event is free, vehicles need to purchase a $5 park permit at the park gate.
The Lymphomathon is a fun-filled, non-competitive event that offers individuals and teams an opportunity to walk to support those whose lives have been touched by lymphoma. A free picnic will be held for all attendees following the walk.
Proceeds from the walk will benefit Nebraskans through research grants and free patient services. The four past walks have raised $358,000 through walk participants and sponsors.
Martin Bast, chair of the event planning team, said in the last several decades, major strides have been made in research that have improved diagnosis, treatment and supportive care for lymphoma patients.
“Significant research discoveries have saved more lives and improved treatment and care of lymphoma patients,” Bast said. “What used to be considered experimental treatments now are standard of care. Research funds are critical to allow us to continue to make improvements for patients.
He said about 450 new cases of lymphoma are diagnosed in Nebraskans each year.
Those interested in participating can start a team, join a team, sign up as an individual or make a donation, by going to: http://www.lymphomathon.org/Nebraska2014. For more information, contact Bast at (402) 559-6203, mbast@unmc.edu.
Strollers and friendly leashed pets are welcome.
Major sponsors include: Union Pacific Railroad, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Huerter Orthodontics, Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins & Campground, Todd Archer Hyundai, Kohll's Pharmacy, Metro Credit Union, Genentech, Celgene, and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company.