Oral cancer awareness event in September

Andover — On Saturday, September 23, the 10th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Walk & Run In Memory of David Nasto will take place at Perona Farms. The family friendly, fundraising event is organized each year by the sister of David Nasto, a local, young man who lost his life to oral cancer eleven years ago.
In addition to helping raise critical funds for the Oral Cancer Foundation’s research, awareness, and support initiatives, participants at the event will enjoy a complimentary breakfast, a Zumba warm-up, guest speakers, and have access to free oral cancer screenings by local dentists and hygienists. Following the walk and run, attendees will be treated to a barbecue lunch, live music and raffles! Day-of registration and pre-race activities will begin at 8:00 AM, with the walk and run beginning at 10:00 am.
To date, hundreds of participants in David Nasto’s Memorial Walk & Run have raised approximately $300,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation’s awareness initiatives and life-saving research. Fundraising efforts are well underway for this year’s event and community members are encouraged to form teams or fundraise individually to aid in the fight against oral cancer! As a thank-you, any participant who raises donations, over $2,000, will get a $200 gift card. The dental team that raises the most money will win a VELscope oral cancer screening device for their office. If you are an individual or dental office interested in starting a fundraising page, visit the Events page of oralcancer.org! For anyone with questions, call Susan Lauria at (609) 923-0420.
Approximately 49,750 Americans will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2017, 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, fatal cancers. The Oral Cancer Foundation is a national public service, non-profit entity designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and support activities. Check out www.oralcancer.org to learn more about risk factors, signs and symptoms, treatments, current research, and current oral cancer related news.
David Nasto was an avid surfer, snowboarder, cyclist, water skier, camper, and photographer before he was diagnosed with state 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 at 47 years old. 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. For more information on participating in the 10th Annual David Nasto Memorial Walk on September 23rd , contact David’s sister, Susan Lauria, at (609) 923-0420 or visit the Events page of <URL destination="http://oralcancer.org. ">oralcancer.org.