Getting involved in your community has been shown to make people happier and healthier. Likewise, exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Why not do the two together?
Dozens of events are staged in Houston and the surrounding communities every year to raise money for cancer. Millions are diagnosed and treated every year, and research has taken this to a whole new level.
Here are a few of the ways you can make a difference in the battle against cancer:
- Every October is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. This year it will be on Oct 15. There are many ways to get involved. The most obvious, of course, is to run or walk. You can also choose to raise money, hold your own fundraising event, or join a local team to show your support. And, just to cover all bases, if you’re out of town or working on race day, or just can’t make it out of bed (no judgments here), you can “sleep in for the cure.” www.komen-houston.org
- The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is on April 20 and 21 this year. In two days you can walk or run 39 miles through Houston. If you don’t want to walk, you can always volunteer, assisting with recruitment or organizing, or helping during race weekend. www.avonwalk.org
- The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training has trained over half a million runners, walkers, cyclists, and triathletes, in addition to raising over a billion dollars for blood cancer research. In exchange for fundraising, Team in Training will get you into shape to participate in one of their sponsored races. www.teamintraining.org/txg
- Like to golf? Try the Golfers Against Cancer Annual Gala and Tournament in November. Several courses throughout Houston host this event, which includes a dinner and auction, the “corporate shootout,” and the golf tournament and awards. www.golfersagainstcancer.org
- Although this event is over for this year, The Brides Against Breast Cancer Wedding Gown Sale offers many new and gently worn gowns at steep discounts, with the proceeds benefitting people impacted by cancer. Be sure to put it on your calendar for next January. www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org
- Run for a Reason is sponsored by the Houston Marathon. They have dozens of charities to choose from and ways to make it easy for family and friends to donate. Charities include CanCare, Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, and Young Texans Against Cancer, among many others. www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/RunForAReason
- The Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society involves a team, with individual members taking turns walking around a track. Food, games, and activities are provided for team members and families and friends who are not walking. Multiple relays are held in and around Houston in April and May. Events details vary by location. www.relayforlife.org
These, of course, are only a few of the ways you can get involved and get in shape and meet people at the same time. Many more events are out there. Go to your favorite internet search engine and enter the type of cancer you want to help fight, and you will find a myriad of ways to become involved. Get moving!
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